Bolton, W.S. orcid.org/0000-0001-8451-9595, Aruparayil, N. orcid.org/0000-0002-2898-772X, Bundu, I. et al. (6 more authors) (2024) VITAL: an IDEAL stage 2b feasibility study of a randomised controlled trial evaluating whether virtual reality technology can improve surgical training in Sierra Leone. Journal of Surgical Simulation, 10 (1). pp. 59-68. ISSN 2051-7726
Abstract
Background: Training surgeons is costly and resource intensive, often requiring extended periods of expert supervision. Virtual reality (VR) has shown potential in enhancing surgical skill acquisition, but its use in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using smartphone VR for surgical training in LMICs.
Methods: We conducted a prospective randomised controlled feasibility study involving surgical trainees recruited from a government teaching hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Participants were randomised 1:1 VR vs non-VR and received a 2-day hands-on course on lower limb amputation. The VR group received additional VR training consisting of two 30-minute modules with narrated live surgery videos. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment rates, VR intervention adherence, fidelity and acceptability.
Results: A total of 30 participants were randomised, 15 to the VR group and 15 to the control group. The recruitment period lasted 2 days, and 29 participants (96.7%) completed the course. The VR intervention had high fidelity and acceptability, with 100% of participants completing the intervention. There was no unblinding. Compared to the control group, the VR group reported statistically significantly higher engagement during the hands-on course.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that smartphone VR is technically feasible for surgical training in LMICs, and may improve engagement and perceived learning. With minor modifications to the intervention and assessments, a larger-scale trial is feasible. These results highlight the potential for VR to address the challenges of surgical training in LMICs, where access to expert supervision and costly training resources may be limited.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023 The Authors. Published by Journal of Surgical Simulation. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Keywords: | LMIC; low- and middle-income countries; virtual reality; feasibility studies; surgeons |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Leeds Institute of Medical Research (LIMR) > Division of Gastroenterology and Surgery |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 15 Apr 2024 12:29 |
Last Modified: | 15 Apr 2024 12:29 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | E-MED LTD |
Identification Number: | 10.1102/2051-7726.2023.0008 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:211477 |