Integration of simulation components enhances team training in cardiac surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Cardiothoracic Surgery

Background:

• Traditional surgical simulation often focuses on individual procedural components.
• High-fidelity simulation offers a more comprehensive training environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of an interdisciplinary team approach in high-fidelity simulation for cardiac surgery residency.
• To model real-world challenges faced during complex cardiac procedures.

Main Methods:

• Twelve cardiothoracic surgical residents formed three interdisciplinary teams.
• Teams rotated through simulation stations: coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, and mitral valve repair.
• Resident performance was evaluated based on their assigned roles (surgeon, assistant, perfusionist, anesthesiologist).

Main Results:

• Individual scores varied by role and experience; higher scores correlated with more years of experience.
• Mitral valve repair station yielded significantly higher mean surgical scores (4.4) compared to aortic valve replacement (3.6) and coronary artery bypass grafting (3.6).
• A majority of residents demonstrated proficiency in anesthesia and perfusion roles without prompting.

Conclusions:

• Integrating interdisciplinary teams into cardiac surgery simulation effectively models complex procedures.
• Team training is a crucial component for enhancing resident education and preparedness in cardiothoracic surgery.