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Developing basic hand‐eye coordination skills for laparoscopic surgery using gaze training
Author(s) -
Wilson Mark,
Coleman Mark,
McGrath John
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2010.09315.x
Subject(s) - medicine , citation , foundation (evidence) , library science , ophthalmology , history , archaeology , computer science
With laparoscopic techniques being used for more urology surgical procedures, consideration needs to be given to the effective training of basic technical skills [1]. Virtual reality-training simulators have been proposed to offer an effective way to train technical skills through repetitive practice in a safe, unthreatening environment. Indeed, recent systematic reviews have shown that such training can translate to improved outcomes in the operating room [2]. However, the most effective way to use these expensive training tools is still not clear, and there has been limited attention on the development of theoretically driven training curricula [3,4].Recent theoretical frameworks and developments in the motor learning literature may provide educators with some important guidelines for developing surgical training curricula [5]. For example, research examining the skilful performance of visually guided movements from other motor domains (e.g. driving and sport) has implicated the importance of gaze control in optimizing subsequent motor control [6,7]. In contrast, there has been little research focus on the strategic gaze behaviours of surgeons performing visuomotor, laparoscopic tasks. Indeed, the process measures examined tend to be from the ‘surgeon–tool’ interface (tool movement metrics) as opposed to the ‘surgeon–monitor’ interface (gaze metrics) [8].Accordingly, researchers and curriculum developers are only considering half of the ‘hand-eye coordination’ relationship, and are ignoring potentially important information related to the visual cues used to guide and control instrument movements. By ignoring the strategic role of the gaze system in optimizing ne motor skill control, technical training programmes may not be as effective as they could be. The following sections provide theoretical support for an increased understanding of gaze strategies, and outline some concerns with simply focusing on the ‘hand’ component of hand-eye coordination.