Assessment of minimally invasive surgical skills of pre-medical students: What can we learn from future learners?

Mostafa A. Borahay, Mary Jackson, Ömer L. Tapisiz, Elizabeth Lyons, Pooja R. Patel, Ramsey Nassar, Gökhan Sami Kiliç

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Knowledge of baseline laparoscopic and robotic surgical skills of future learners is essential to develop teaching strategies that best fit them. The objectives of this study are to determine baseline laparoscopic and robotic skills of high school and college students and compare them to those of current obstetrics and gynecology residents. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional (Class II-2) pilot study. Laparoscopic and robotic surgical skills of college and high (secondary) school students were evaluated using simulators and compared to those of obstetrics and gynecology residents. In addition, questionnaire data were collected regarding video game playing and computer use. Results: A total of 17 students, both high school (n=9) and college (n=8), in addition to 11 residents, completed the study. Overall, students performed comparably to the residents in simple exercises (p>.05). However, students took significantly longer time to complete complex exercises (p=.001). Finally, students played video games significantly more than residents (p<.001). Conclusion: Future learners may have a different background skill set. This difference may be related to improved hand-eye coordination, possibly due to playing video games. The results of this pilot study should spur more research into surgical teaching strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)69-73
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the Turkish German Gynecology Association
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Education
  • Laparoscopy
  • Robotic surgery
  • Simulation
  • Video games

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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