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Touch Surgery: Analysis and Assessment of Validity of a Hand Surgery Simulation "App"
Jacob Tulipan1, Andrew Miller1, Andrew G Park1
11 Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Hand (New York, N.Y.)
|January 25, 2018
Summary
This study found that surgical simulation apps like Touch Surgery improve trainee performance with practice. While experienced surgeons performed better, novice users reported higher confidence and willingness to use the app for surgical training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Digital Health
Background:
- Surgical educators are exploring simulation and nonclinical teaching aids for trainee education.
- Simulators range from advanced machines to mobile applications (apps).
- This study assesses a free surgery module app for hand surgery training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the validity and usefulness of the Touch Surgery app for hand surgery training.
- To compare performance across different surgical experience levels using the app.
Main Methods:
- Three cohorts (hand surgeons, residents, medical students) used the Touch Surgery Carpal Tunnel Release module.
- Participants completed the module three times, with scores recorded.
- A Likert survey assessed user opinions on usefulness and accuracy; statistical analysis was performed.
Main Results:
- All user groups improved performance with repeated simulation attempts.
- Expert surgeons consistently outperformed residents and students.
- Novice users reported higher perceived usefulness and willingness to use the app.
Conclusions:
- The app's validity is confirmed by improved performance with practice and higher scores for experienced users.
- User confidence in the app's utility increases with lower levels of training experience.
- Mobile surgical simulation apps show promise as valid and useful training adjuncts.
