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Comparing the Efficacy of Endovascular Simulation Training in Different Training Formats: A Randomized Controlled
David Wippel1, Werner Westreicher1, Maria Gummerer1
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Annals of Vascular Surgery
|July 16, 2024
Summary
Simulator training improves endovascular skills, enhancing performance metrics and ratings. The training format, whether in block sessions or weekly intervals, does not impact overall effectiveness, allowing for flexible scheduling.
Area of Science:
- Medical Simulation
- Endovascular Interventions
- Medical Education
Background:
- High-fidelity endovascular simulators show promise in improving interventionalists' performance metrics like procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume.
- The impact of simulator training on trainee performance, assessed by global and procedure-specific rating scales, requires further clarification.
- Training structure, specifically block versus weekly sessions, may influence the effectiveness of endovascular simulator training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the training structure (block sessions vs. weekly intervals) affects the efficacy of endovascular simulator training.
- To assess the impact of simulator training on both objective performance metrics and subjective rating scales in trainees.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, controlled trial involving 20 students divided into block and weekly training groups.
- Each group received 6 hours of supervised endovascular training on a Mentice simulator over 3 weeks.
- Performance was assessed via a predefined peripheral endovascular intervention, trainee surveys, and an experienced interventionalist's evaluation at the beginning and end of the study.
Main Results:
- Both training groups demonstrated significant improvements in procedure time, fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, global rating scale scores, and performance-specific rating scale scores.
- No significant differences in performance improvements were found between the block and weekly training groups.
- Simulator training led to a notable increase in trainee self-confidence.
Conclusions:
- Endovascular simulator training effectively enhances metric performance parameters and improves trainee performance as evaluated by global and procedure-specific rating scales.
- The efficacy of simulator training is not significantly influenced by whether it is delivered in block sessions or weekly intervals.
- Training format can be adapted to suit specific logistical and situational requirements.
