FUSE certification enhances performance on a virtual computer based simulator for dispersive electrode placement

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• Patient Safety

Background:

• The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) developed the Fundamental Use of Surgical Energy (FUSE) curriculum.
• The Virtual Electrosurgical Skill Trainer (VEST) is a simulation-based curriculum complementing FUSE.
• A new VEST module focusing on dispersive electrode placement has been created.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess surgeons' and trainees' knowledge of dispersive electrode placement.
• To describe the newly developed VEST module on dispersive electrode placement.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the VEST module in improving understanding.

Main Methods:

• Forty-six participants (surgeons and trainees) completed the VEST module at the 2016 SAGES conference.
• Pre- and post-tests assessed knowledge of dispersive electrode placement.
• Likert scale questionnaires evaluated user satisfaction with the VEST module.

Main Results:

• Mean scores significantly improved from pre-test (1.5) to post-test (3.4) (p < 0.05).
• Prior FUSE curriculum exposure correlated with higher pre-test scores (p < 0.05).
• No significant difference in pre-test scores was found between attending surgeons and trainees (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The new VEST module effectively enhances understanding of dispersive electrode placement.
• A knowledge gap exists in the surgical community regarding safe dispersive electrode use.
• The FUSE curriculum increases awareness of dispersive electrode safety.