Is Two-on-one Instruction in Virtual Reality Simulation-based Training of Operating Fractures of the Hip for Medical Students As Effective As One-on-one Instruction

NCT ID: NCT06612619

Last Updated: 2024-09-25

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-09-24
• Study Completion Date: 2025-11-01

Brief Summary

The training of orthopedic surgeons has historically relied heavily on an apprenticeship model as the primary way of teaching the various procedures an aspiring surgeon needs to master. However, due to work-hour restrictions, demand for operating room efficiency, lack of supervisors and a growing focus and concern for patient safety, this model is challenged. As the importance of proper education and supervision of surgeons in training is still monumental, simulation-based training (SBT) has gained popularity within most medical specialties, as it provides a safe, and realistic room for training, where surgeons can effectively enhance their operating technique without posing a threat to patient safety. Techniques within orthopedic surgery are no exception to this tendency, and several virtual reality simulators and SBT courses has been developed. This includes the well-established SBT course in proximal femoral fracture (PFF) osteosynthesis, where evidence supported mastery standards for antegrade nailing, dynamic hip screw, Hansson pins and canulated screws have been established. A course that is recommended in the national curriculum for Danish orthopedic surgeons in training.

This change into a more technology- and simulation-based training does however pose challenges, that needs to be acknowledged and addressed to ensure the quality of the education and clinical skills of the orthopedic surgeons.

A key challenge is the limited resource of qualified instructors. These instructors are mainly experienced surgeons with a demanding and busy schedule, who teach part time in addition to their clinical work. It has previously been shown that teaching skills are to be taught by doctors and that good clinicians are not automatically good educators. With the burden of a busy clinical schedule, these experienced surgeons have difficulties finding the time to learn teaching skills.

It can therefore be challenging to educate enough qualified instructors. This poses a rising concern as the field of SBT is only expected to grow, with more courses in continuous development. Thus, potentially limiting the accessibility to orthopedic SBT courses, including the PFF course.

A possible solution for this challenge is dyad introductions. By converting one-on-one introduction to SBT for trainees into one-on-two introduction, it is possible to double the number of participants getting introductions without increasing the teaching load or expenses. This could significantly reduce the needed faculty time per trainee. Several studies have shown beneficial learning outcomes of dyad training. However, it seems, that the positive effects of dyad training cannot be translated into all types of medical simulations, and some studies suggests that the complexity and nature of the simulation defines whether dyad training is beneficial . It is theorized, that the effect of dyad training is caused by the learning of motor skills through mirror neurons during observation, and the distribution of knowledge during complex simulations according to the cognitive load theory. This suggests, that dyad training may be most beneficial in complex simulations requiring high levels of motor skills such as complex surgical procedures.

To our knowledge, no studies exist that examines whether dyad introduction can be equally used in the simulations of orthopedic procedures in general or PFF surgery specifically.

The aim of this study was to examine whether dyad introduction is non-inferior to the current one-on- one student introduction.

Conditions

Learning Curves and Outcomes of Simulation-based Training

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

One-on-one instruction to simulation-based training

The usual instruction with one instructor instructing the trainee in simulation-based training in osteosynthesis of proximal femoral fractures

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Dyad instruction

Dyad or two-on-one instruction, where two trainees are instructed by an instructor at the same time and with the same time usage as in the non-intervention arm.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Dyad instruction

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Rather than being instructed solo or one-on-one the trainees are instructed in pairs of two (dyad).

Interventions

Dyad instruction

Rather than being instructed solo or one-on-one the trainees are instructed in pairs of two (dyad).

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• PGY 1 and 2 doctors working in an orthopeadic department

Exclusion Criteria

• More than 10 osteosynthesis of proximal femoral fractures performed as the primary surgeon.
• Not having read the preparational documents prior to instruction
• Failure to achieve the mastery standard within 10 weeks

• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Amandus Gustafsson

Associate Professor, MD, PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation

Copenhagen, , Denmark

Countries

Denmark

Central Contacts

Amandus Gustafsson, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

amandus.gustafsson.02@regionh.dk

4526792011

Mads E Jacobsen, MD

Role: CONTACT

mads.emil.jacobsen@regionh.dk

4560777357

Facility Contacts

Amanuds Gustafsson, MD, PhD

Role: primary

amandus.gustafsson.02@regionh.dk

4526792011

Mads E Jacobsen, MD

Role: backup

mads.emil.jacobsen@regionh.dk

Mikkel ES Nielsen, Medical Student

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

F-24056399

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id