The validity of arthroscopic simulators and performance tools

As there is a growing demand for more time-efficient and effective methods for medical training without putting patients at risk, the role of simulation keeps expanding. Validation of simulators should precede implementation in medical curricula. However, only a small minority of available medical simulators is found to be (appropriately) validated. Researchers, manufacturers and medical trainers are therefore encouraged to collaborate to develop simulators, conduct proper validation studies and select the appropriate simulator. Especially in the field of arthroscopy, a lack of (properly validated) simulators exists. Two high-fidelity arthroscopic knee simulators are studied for face and construct validity, and a pilot study is conducted to develop a solid protocol for a large scale randomized controlled transfer validity study. The acquirement of arthroscopic skills is stimulated by the use of objective tools and metrics to monitor arthroscopic performance and provide feedback. As metrics and complementary thresholds for safety performance during arthroscopy are scarcely studied, maximum allowed forces for safe joint stressing are investigated. Moreover, construct validity of two Global Rating Scales, designed for evaluation of arthroscopic performance is studied. Although the number of (high-fidelity) arthroscopic simulators and performance tracking tools have recently increased, more evidence on their validity and usefulness of simulators and assessment tools is needed. Future studies should focus on high-quality study designs and standardized protocols in order to offer orthopedic residents an adequate training environment to acquire and maintain arthroscopic skills, and to enable performance tracking and proficiency assessment, with the ultimate goal to improve and secure patient safety

NHST project

The file contains the results of the search conference that was part and an aim of the project 'The Myth of Null-hypothesis Significance Testing

NHST project

The file contains the results of the search conference that was part and an aim of the project 'The Myth of Null-hypothesis Significance Testing

How valid are commercially available medical simulators?

Background: Since simulators offer important advantages, they are increasingly used in medical education and medical skills training that require physical actions. A wide variety of simulators have become commercially available. It is of high importance that evidence is provided that training on these simulators can actually improve clinical performance on live patients. Therefore, the aim of this review is to determine the availability of different types of simulators and the evidence of their validation, to offer insight regarding which simulators are suitable to use in the clinical setting as a training modality. Summary: Four hundred and thirty-three commercially available simulators were found, from which 405 (94%) were physical models. One hundred and thirty validation studies evaluated 35 (8%) commercially available medical simulators for levels of validity ranging from face to predictive validity. Solely simulators that are used for surgical skills training were validated for the highest validity level (predictive validity). Twenty-four (37%) simulators that give objective feedback had been validated. Studies that tested more powerful levels of validity (concurrent and predictive validity) were methodologically stronger than studies that tested more elementary levels of validity (face, content, and construct validity). Conclusion: Ninety-three point five percent of the commercially available simulators are not known to be tested for validity. Although the importance of (a high level of) validation depends on the difficulty level of skills training and possible consequences when skills are insufficient, it is advisable for medical professionals, trainees, medical educators, and companies who manufacture medical simulators to critically judge the available medical simulators for proper validation. This way adequate, safe, and affordable medical psychomotor skills training can be achieved.Biomechanical EngineeringMechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineerin