Is There Bias against Simulation in Microsurgery Training?
Survey study published in J Reconstr Microsurg (2016)
Abstract
Background While other surgical specialties have embraced virtual reality simulation for training and recertification, microsurgery has lagged. This study aims to assess the opinions of microsurgeons on the role of simulation in microsurgery assessment and training. Methods We surveyed faculty members of the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery to ascertain opinions on their use of simulation in training and opinions about the utility of simulation for skills acquisition, teaching, and skills assessment. The 21-question survey was disseminated online to 675 members. Results Eighty-nine members completed the survey for a 13.2% response rate. Few microsurgeons have experience with high-fidelity simulation, and opinions on its utility are internally inconsistent. Although 84% of respondents could not identify a reason why simulation would not be useful, only 24% believed simulation is a useful measure of clinical performance. Nearly three-fourths of respondents were skeptical that simulation would improve their skills. Ninety-four percent had no experience with simulator-based assessment. Conclusion Simulation has been shown to improve skills acquisition in microsurgery, but our survey suggests that unfamiliarity may foster bias against the technology. Failure to incorporate simulation may adversely affect training and may put surgeons at a disadvantage should these technologies be adopted for recertification by regulatory agencies.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Survey of 89 microsurgeons revealed that despite known utility of simulation, only 24% believed simulation measures clinical performance and 94% had no experience with simulator-based assessment.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This study surveyed faculty members of the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery to assess opinions on the role of simulation in microsurgery assessment and training, finding that few microsurgeons have experience with high-fidelity simulation and that unfamiliarity may foster bias against the technology. The survey of 89 respondents revealed that although 84% could not identify a reason simulation would not be useful, only 24% believed it is a useful measure of clinical performance. This article has no direct relevance to hirudotherapy, the leech secretome, or the American Society of Hirudotherapy's domain—it is purely an opinion survey on educational simulation tools and contains no mention of leeches, leech-derived compounds, or hirudotherapy techniques.
Citation
Is There Bias against Simulation in Microsurgery Training?
Theman TA, Labow BI · Journal of reconstructive microsurgery, 2016
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