Trainee attitudes towards virtual reality simulation to develop microsurgical skills in ophthalmology

Abstract

Virtual reality simulation (VRS) is an established technology for training cataract surgery. It has been validated for numerous ophthalmic surgical modules. The learner’s attitude towards its use has not been explored. This study has examined ophthalmology trainees’ attitudes towards VRS at the commencement of their training, before undergoing live surgery. All Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO) trainees commencing in 2022 were invited to participate voluntarily in the research. Trainees completed an online mixed-methods questionnaire containing items on simulators, surgical experience and confidence levels in their surgical skills. Trainee attitudes were gathered utilizing Likert scale items, certainty-based and open-ended questions. The data were analysed by running basic descriptive statistics and frequencies utilizing SPSS. Ophthalmology trainees believe that VRS can improve theatre skills, including reducing levels of complications in live surgery (91.7%), developing clinical decision-making (83.3%) and enhancing patient safety (87.5%). It was clear that the trainees felt that VRS training was helpful to increase pre-operative (91.7%) and intra-operative confidence (91.7%). The role of VRS in future training was unclear. Forty percent of trainees did not believe that VRS will be useful as they progress through their career. Ophthalmology trainees value VRS training to develop microsurgical skills, though they are unclear about its benefit in the later stages of training. They possibly perceive VRS as a bridge to live surgery, not realizing its full potential to further enhance their skills. The authors recommend including in the VRS training curriculum standard a section highlighting its ongoing benefits for practice beyond commencing training.