116 Comparing the Effect of Using Virtual Reality Versus Simulation, to Manage an Acute Surgical Scenario, on Academic Buoyancy
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: Background Simulation is regularly used in surgical training to allow trainees to practice skills safely. Virtual reality (VR) is a recent simulation modality which offers immersive computer-generated medical and surgical training scenarios. Much of trainee performance can be hindered by stress, self-consciousness, performance anxiety, fear of criticism and self-perceived poor task execution. Academic buoyancy is a learner’s ability to successfully deal with short-term, minor academic setbacks, such as poor grades and exam pressures, and having academic buoyancy can translate into long-term academic resilience. We aimed to compare academic buoyancy between junior doctors after managing an acute surgical scenario using VR and mannequin-based simulation. Method Eighteen junior doctor volunteers (Foundation and Core Trainee Year 1) were recruited, with ten participants randomly allocated to VR and eight to mannequin-based Simulation. Participants assessed and managed a 15-minute pneumothorax scenario. The academic buoyancy scale (ABS), which consists of four questions on a self-rated 7-point Likert scale, was used to measure pre-session and post-session academic buoyancy. Results ABS scores increased for both study groups, although this was only statistically significant for VR participants (p≤0.01), suggesting that VR may provide a more comfortable environment for trainees to hone their clinical skills. VR participants also had higher overall simulation scores than mannequin-based simulation participants, however no correlation was found between ABS scores and overall simulation scores. Conclusions VR as a simulation modality benefits by improving short-term markers of confidence. Future research should establish whether spaced VR teaching sessions translate into improved long-term markers of resilience.
Source: British journal of surgery
Authors: M T Tran, M Ahmad, K Patel, O Argyriou, A Davies, J Shalhoub
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4402004138