What is Transferred and How Much is Retained? A Simulation Study of Complex Surgical Skills

• Published in: The Journal of surgical research 2022-12, Vol.280, p.411-420
• Main Authors: Wilson, Claire A., Davidson, Jacob, Chahine, Saad, Chan, Ernest Pang, Stringer, Leandra, Quantz, Mackenzie A., Saklofske, Donald H., Wang, Peter (Zhan Tao)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cadaver; Clinical Competence; Humans; Learning; Novices; Prospective Studies; Simulation Training - methods; Skills retention; Skills transfer; Surgical skills
• ISSN: 0022-4804; 1095-8673
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.07.040

Studies indicate that learning surgical skills on low-fidelity models is equally beneficial to learning on high-fidelity models in terms of skills retention and transfer. However, it is unclear how low-fidelity simulation training impacts retention and transfer in novice learners, particularly on complex surgical tasks that incorporate multiple challenging skills. This study explores the capacity of complete novices to learn and transfer complex surgical skills from a low-fidelity model to a high-fidelity simulation after a delay. Task-naïve medical and nonmedical undergraduate students (n = 62) participated in a three-phase prospective double-arm randomized (2:1) experimental study. Participants completed two skills training sessions (end-to-side anastomosis) on a low-fidelity bench model. After a 4-week delay, participants completed the task again either using the low-fidelity model or a high-fidelity model (cadaver) and were assessed using a validated checklist. There was a significant time × fidelity group interaction (P = 0.004). Simple effects analysis indicated the high-fidelity group (Mdiff = 4.18, P