Face, Content, And Construct Validity Of DV-trainer, A Novel Virtual Reality Simulator For Robotic Surgery

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 10 Sep 2009 - 6:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - The development of a virtual reality surgical simulator is an arduous process. Appropriate validation studies are critical to determining the appropriateness of the simulator as a teaching device and to assist in the continuous improvements and upgrades of the learning platform. In order to incorporate a simulator into an educational curriculum it is of paramount importance to demonstrate construct validity. This determines whether the simulator can distinguish between inexperienced and experienced surgeons with regards to the surgical skills or procedure performance.

Educational researchers at the Lahey Clinic have confirmed the experience at Indiana University which shows that experienced robotic surgeons perform each module on this particular simulator faster and more accurately compared to novice robotic surgeons. The high fidelity task of suturing and knot tying still needs considerable refinement in this virtual reality robotic training platform. With these skill task training modules improved, the Mimic simulator will be ready for predictive validity testing to determine if performance on the simulator can predict surgeon performance in the operating room with the da Vinci robot. This is the ultimate validation of a surgical simulator and opens the possibility of using the device for credentialing and certification. However, it is essential that these teaching devices be applied within a well constructed surgical curriculum.

Kenney PA, Wszolek MF, Gould JJ, Libertino JA, Moinzadeh A
Urology. 2009 Jun;73(6):1288-92
10.1016/j.urology.2008.12.044

Written by UroToday.com Contributing Editor Elspeth M. McDougall, MD, FRCSC, MHPE

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