Comparison of a perfusion simulator to a clinical operating room: evaluation of eye tracking data and subjective...

With the aim of evaluating the perfusion simulator at the German Heart Center Berlin, similarity between simulation and clinical operation room (OR) was investigated regarding subjective perception and eye movement.

Eight perfusionists performed an operation on the heart-lung machine (HLM) wearing eye tracking glasses, each in real OR and simulator. The three most important phases for perfusionists (going on bypass, cardioplegia administration and coming off bypass) were considered. Additional to eye tracking data as objective measure, questionnaires were completed, and interviews conducted afterwards.

The structure of simulator and real OR is perceived as basically the same. Yet there are differences in the HLM-models used and the temporal sequence. Different perception of both situations is reported in interviews and reflected in significant differences in the rating scales (NASA-TLX) on three of six subscales. In eye tracking data, certain AOIs could be identified for the individual phases, both in OR and simulator-an indication of fundamental similarity. However, differences regarding the proportions of the individual AOIs, especially in the first and third phase, are leading to the assumption that the simulator, and especially the simulation process, is only valid to a limited extent regarding subjective perception and eye tracking data.

The use of the simulator for (advanced) training is accepted and explicitly requested by perfusionists. Yet further research is needed to identify the decisive factors (like simulation duration or additional tasks) for a valid execution in the simulator. Furthermore, a larger sample size should be regarded to allow statistical analysis.