Michael Dombek, MD1, Carlos Lopez, PhD2, Zhongqing Han2, Daniel B Jones, MD1, Jaisa Olasky, MD3, Steven Schwaitzberg, MD4, Caroline Cao, PhD5, Suvranu De, PhD2. 1Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 2Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 3Mount Auburn Hospital, 4University of Buffalo, 5Wright State University
Introduction: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has developed the FUSE didactic curriculum in order to formalize a curriculum and further understanding of the safe use of surgical energy. The Virtual Electrosurgical Skill Trainer (VEST) is being developed as a complementary simulation-based curriculum in order to further train surgeons and operating room (OR) staff to safely use surgical energy tools. Dedicated VEST modules have been developed and face validated at the annual SAGES conference learning center. Subsequently, a new VEST module has been developed to allow surgeons and trainees to learn about dispersive electrode placement and to visualize to flow of electrical energy in human tissue. The purpose of this study is to assess the face validity of this dispersive electrode VEST module.
Methods: Forty six subjects (n=46) were recruited for participation at the 2016 SAGES conference Learning Center. Subjects were asked to complete demographic surveys, a 5 question pre-test, and a 5 question post-test after completing the VEST dispersive electrode module. Subjects were then asked to rate different aspects of the module using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire.
Results: Mean pre-simulator and post-simulator assessment scores were 1.48 and 3.38, respectively, with Wilcoxon signed rank analysis showing a significant difference in the means (p<0.05). Subjects were grouped by presence (n=12) or absence (n=31) of prior FUSE experience and by training level, i.e. trainee (n=21) vs. attending surgeon(n=23). Mann-Whitney U testing showed no significant difference in pre-simulator assessment scores between attending surgeons and trainees (p>0.05). In those with and without FUSE exposure, a significant difference (p<0.05) was seen in pre-simulator assessment scores, and no significant difference in Likert scale assessment scores, with mean scores above 4 for all questions.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated face validity of a new VEST simulator educational module. Consistently high Likert assessment scores showed that users felt the VEST module helped their understanding of dispersive electrode placement and that the module was useful and realistically represented the process of optimal dispersive electrode placement. Additionally, it reflected a potential knowledge deficit in the safe use of dispersive electrodes in the surgical community, also demonstrating that even some exposure to the FUSE curriculum developed by SAGES provides increased awareness about dispersive electrode use.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 79169
Program Number: P314
Presentation Session: Poster (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster