Haptic Training Simulator Use in Emergency Procedure Education

Although simulation-based education is integral to emergency procedure training, computer monitor screen-based simulation (SBS) alone cannot develop the requisite feel and psychomotor skills. Haptic training simulations providing force feedback via a multi-degree-of-freedom stylus may improve this issue, offering tactile realism without the resource burdens of high-fidelity mannequins and consumable task trainers. This study compared user experience and skill acquisition between traditional task-trainer-based simulation and SBS with haptic feedback.

We conducted a crossover study with 22 emergency medicine learners (residents and medical students) to compare haptic-augmented SBS (3D Systems Touch™ with custom Unity™ software; 3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC, USA; Unity Technologies, San Francisco, CA, USA) versus traditional physical task trainers for lateral canthotomy (LC) and needle decompression (ND) procedures. Participants completed pre- and post-knowledge tests (five multiple-choice items per procedure) and post-simulation Likert surveys (1-5 scale) assessing realism, usability, and educational value. Knowledge changes were analyzed using the paired-samples proportion, Newcombe's method, and McNemar's test; Likert responses were summarized using median and interquartile range.

Mean knowledge scores for LC increased by 20.9% (p < 0.001), and haptic simulation achieved median Likert ratings of 4-5 for realism, ease of use, and desirability. ND knowledge improved in certain topics (needle gauge choice, p = 0.007) with median Likert ratings of 4-5 for utility and integration potential.

Haptic simulation represents a feasible and effective adjunct for procedural training in emergency medicine. For complex, dexterity-intensive tasks, such as LC, haptic augmented simulators offer educational outcomes comparable to those of traditional physical models while providing significant logistical and cost advantages. Conversely, traditional trainers remain at least as effective for less complex procedures such as ND. These preliminary findings support the integration of haptics into medical curricula, although future research must focus on long-term skill retention and the optimization of simulator design across a broader range of clinical interventions.