[Ophthalmological surgery simulation: an interim assessment after 3 years of Homburg Simulation Days]

Simulator-based medical education (SBME) is increasingly being used as an effective method for teaching surgical skills in ophthalmology. The Homburg Simulation Days (HST) combine theoretical courses, wet laboratory training on pig eyes and dry laboratory simulator training for residents and young specialists.

Retrospective analysis of HST and evaluation of current surgical training during residency and integration of simulation training by participants.

A demographic analysis of the 33 participants over a period of 3 years was performed. The participants' skills were measured using standardized Cataract Challenge software, once after 1 h of simulation training and once at the end of the simulation training. The surveys were conducted using a 5-point Likert scale. Free-text feedback regarding the HST was analyzed.

The participants (33.3% men, 66.7% women; 69.7% residents, 30.3% specialists) travelled an average distance of 227.4 km to the training location. The Wilcoxon test showed a significant improvement in surgical handling in all simulation sections of the Cataract Challenge (p ≤ 0.01). All participants would recommend the event to others (n = 32, as 1 participant left this question unanswered). The current surgical training during residency was rated as unsatisfactory by 63.6% of participants (24.2% neutral; n = 33).

The HST is an effective, practical training format that statistically significantly improves participants' surgical skills in cataract surgery during simulation. The combination of dry laboratory simulator training and wet laboratory training on pig eyes enables both standardized and realistic training conditions that complement each other. Participants were in favor of greater integration of surgical simulation into the training curriculum and would prefer to have more frequent and easier access to simulation opportunities.