Module-Based Arthroscopic Knee Simulator Training Improves Technical Skills in Naive Learners: A Randomized Trial.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Orthopaedic Surgery Training

Background:

• Acquiring arthroscopic skills is crucial for orthopaedic surgeons.
• Traditional training methods may have limitations in providing sufficient practice.
• Surgical simulators offer a safe environment for skill acquisition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of module-based training (MBT) versus traditional learning (TL) for arthroscopic skills acquisition.
• To evaluate these methods against a control group (C) using a surgical simulator.

Main Methods:

• Thirty novice health science students were randomized into MBT, TL, or C groups.
• MBT involved independent simulator practice (≥2 hours/week); TL received brief weekly coaching.
• Assessments included simulator-generated objective measures and subjective skill ratings at baseline and 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• The MBT group trained significantly more (113 min/week) than the TL group (24 min/week).
• MBT demonstrated superiority over the control group in procedure time, camera path length, total score, and OAAS.
• No significant differences were found between MBT and TL, or TL and C, after Bonferroni correction.

Conclusions:

• Module-based arthroscopic simulation training enhances skills in novice participants compared to a control group.
• This training provides increased practice time and improves technical skills.
• The findings suggest potential benefits for junior residents in structured training programs.