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Validation of virtual‐reality‐based simulations for endoscopic sinus surgery
Author(s) -
Dharmawarda.,
Ruthenbeck G.,
Woods C.,
Elmiyeh B.,
Diment L.,
Ooi E.H.,
Reynolds K.,
Carney A.S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
clinical otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1749-4486
pISSN - 1749-4478
DOI - 10.1111/coa.12414
Subject(s) - otorhinolaryngology , medicine , virtual reality , endoscopic sinus surgery , face validity , medical physics , construct validity , significant difference , medical education , haptic technology , head and neck surgery , physical therapy , surgery , simulation , patient satisfaction , computer science , human–computer interaction , clinical psychology , psychometrics
Background Virtual reality ( VR ) simulators provide an alternative to real patients for practicing surgical skills but require validation to ensure accuracy. Here, we validate the use of a virtual reality sinus surgery simulator with haptic feedback for training in Otorhinolaryngology ‐ Head & Neck Surgery ( OHNS ). Methods Participants were recruited from final‐year medical students, interns, resident medical officers ( RMO s), OHNS registrars and consultants. All participants completed an online questionnaire after performing four separate simulation tasks. These were then used to assess face, content and construct validity. anova with post hoc correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results The following groups were compared: (i) medical students/interns, (ii) RMO s, (iii) registrars and (iv) consultants. Face validity results had a statistically significant ( P < 0.05) difference between the consultant group and others, while there was no significant difference between medical student/intern and RMO s. Variability within groups was not significant. Content validity results based on consultant scoring and comments indicated that the simulations need further development in several areas to be effective for registrar‐level teaching. However, students, interns and RMO s indicated that the simulations provide a useful tool for learning OHNS ‐related anatomy and as an introduction to ENT ‐specific procedures. Conclusions The VR simulations have been validated for teaching sinus anatomy and nasendoscopy to medical students, interns and RMO s. However, they require further development before they can be regarded as a valid tool for more advanced surgical training.