Using the PDMS-2 to Measure Visual-Motor Skill Development with Laparoscopic and Robotic Instruments

Abstract

With the introduction of conventional laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, surgical treatment options beyond traditional open surgery are increasing. If and when different minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques are learned vary from surgeon to surgeon. It is important for human factors researchers to have tools for measuring how visual-motor skills develop using MIS tools across different learning experiences. The current research examines a child movement skill assessment tool, the Peabody Developmental Motor Skills Scales – Second Edition (PDMS-2), as a metric for measuring visual motor skill development with adults learning to use laparoscopic or robotic tools. At a high-level, the PDMS-2 provided insight into which motor skills were supported by each set of MIS tools and which skills were impacted by differences in learning history. Supplemental measures must be paired with the PDMS-2 to better understand the mechanisms behind the observed patterns.