Assessing the training effect of knee arthroscopy cognitive-task surgical simulations on the theoretical and technical knowledge acquisition in novices

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic had drastic consequences on medical education, especially in surgical exposure and procedural learning. Cognitive task analysis (CTA) simulators, including Touch Surgery, are gaining prominence as a learning tool for surgical training in a low-risk environment virtually. The study objective was to investigate the training effect of Touch Surgery’s knee arthroscopy module in both theoretical and technical knowledge acquisition for novices, and qualitative feedback on CTA simulators for surgical education. Methods Thirteen medical students were recruited in an Institutional Review Board-approved study to complete the knee arthroscopy simulation module on Touch Surgery, a clinically validated, cognitive task mobile-app based surgical simulator. Participants were given an expert-validated questionnaire evaluating surgical theory and technique on knee arthroscopy before and after at least three consecutive attempts on the module, along with qualitative questions assessing attitudes towards using the platform. A 2-tailed paired Student t-test was used to assess for statistically significant changes between pre- and post-study scores, with p-value < 0.05 considered significant. Results Mean scores for pre- and post-simulator use demonstrated statistically significant improvements for technical and overall knowledge acquisition (p < 0.05). Improvement in theoretical knowledge acquisition was also observed, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.052). Participants generally found the app “easy to use”, “fun to use” and “more interactive compared to other study material”. Conclusion CTA simulators provide an effective means of technical knowledge acquisition for novices such as medical students, and serve as an engaging and useful training adjunct for surgical education.