______________________________________________________________________________
New Surgical Instrument Simulation Software Based
on Proven Learning Principles
Larry J. Foster B.S., R.N. ______________________________________________________________________________ ©S2 Interactive, Inc., 2013
White Paper
©S2 Interactive, Inc., 2013
New Surgical Instrument Simulation
Software Based on Proven Learning
Principles
____________________________________________________
Simulation’s Impact in the Current Medical Market
Medical simulation is becoming increasingly popular due to proven effectiveness and its ability to mimic real life situations encountered in the medical field without any negative impact. The market for medical simulation is set to nearly triple by the year 2017 from its current level. Hospitals are major end-‐users of medical simulation products for many different reasons such as keeping patient safety ratings at a high level. “A number of compelling reasons are driving the interest in simulation training including cost savings” 2, shorter learning curves, and the ability to reduce reliance on patients, cadavers, and animals used in medical education.
One major factor that is currently affecting the market is high cost for simulation products and limited funding. Therefore it is important to have competitive pricing and high value. Despite this the market is growing worldwide and is projected to continue to gain popularity in the coming years. The increase in the market is being driven by rising healthcare costs, demand for new treatment options, and increasing consolidation of manufacturers. Currently North
America has the largest market for medical simulation products and services. Virtual simulations employ the latest advances and trends in computer technology and visual interfaces to create detailed and effective learning experiences. “However, the long-‐term prospects for medical simulation will likely be mediated more by underlying factors of supply and demand than by need.”8
There are many benefits to medical simulation that make it an excellent option in training for healthcare professionals. It is a consistent tool which can be used frequently, and it doesn’t require long periods of time to have a positive effect on the user. The benefits of simulation include: reduction in the time it takes to train healthcare professionals, increased proficiency compared to current training techniques, they can reinforce and improve current skills, they are cost effective, multiple applications, assessments of users, etc.
Ideal Medical Simulation Criteria
S2 leveraged proven methods of learning when developing Virtual BackTableTM to maximize its value and effectiveness in surgical instrument learning. It is the first software to address this need, and it aims to improve performance and competency of surgeon specific procedure instrument sequence for surgical staff. Surgical staff members play a vital role in the operating room, so it is essential to provide a simulation tool that is easy to use and effective so that they too can improve and hone in on their skills as other medical professionals do using simulation devices.
Listed below are ten features in order of importance as they are in the paper “The Utility of Simulation in Medical Education: What Is the Evidence?” Okuda identified 10 optimal features of a medical simulator in his review of 670 articles released over the course of 34 years and they served as guiding principles for S2 in the development of VBT
1. Feedback is provided during the learning experience. 2. Learners engage in repetitive practice.
3. The simulator is integrated into the medical curriculum. 4. Learners practice with increasing levels of difficulty. 5. The simulator is adaptable to multiple learning strategies. 6. The simulator captures clinical variation.
7. The simulator is embedded in a controlled environment. 8. The simulator permits individualized learning.
9. Learning outcomes are clearly defined and measured.
10. The simulator is a valid (high-‐fidelity) approximation of clinical practice
Review of Simulation Standards in relation to VBT
Below is a summary showing how Virtual BackTable addresses each of the 10 features recognized in the literature as requirements for an optimal simulator experience.
Under each of the ten features is a brief description of how VBT 2.0 meets or exceeds each one of the ten features.
1. Feedback is provided during the learning experience.
VBT offers immediate feedback regarding simulation exercises, instrument tray
assembly, and online scoring (true false/multiple choice) via S2’s Learning Management System. Administrators have the ability to export results to reference and record the results in any way they may need.
2. Learners engage in repetitive practice.
Users of VBT are able to practice an unlimited number of times in the software’s
simulation function and the learning content contained within the software to optimize knowledge retention. The software can be practiced in a hospital environment or anywhere else a user has access to the Internet.
3. The simulator is integrated into the medical curriculum.
VBT’s simulation function is completely customizable to fit any hospital’s curriculum or surgeon specific procedure. S2 offers a proven, customized curriculum for training surgical staff upon request.
4. Learners practice with increasing levels of difficulty.
The Learning Management System allows for assessments to be customized meeting any facility’s needs. Users may be challenged to select the proper trays, preferences and instrument sequences or simply sequence the order of required instruments, depending on the experience level of the user.
5. The simulator is adaptable to multiple learning strategies.
Learning agendas employed by facilities and educators alike tend to use unique strategies of teaching. The software’s simulation function in addition to the Learning Management System contained within the VBT platform allows for custom learning content to be implemented however a facility or educator chooses.
6. The simulator captures clinical variation.
VBT captures clinical variations within its software so that it is customizable to address surgeon specific needs such as preferences, room set up, required trays and
instrumentation. Variation for any surgical procedure is allowed. 7. The simulator is embedded in a controlled environment.
VBT utilizes a cloud based platform which is transferable to any type of learning environment making it sustainable for any type of learning agenda. It can be accessed on PC’s or Tablets to help address this need and make it versatile.
8. The simulator permits individualized learning.
VBT recognizes the need to provision individualized learning. VBT is customizable to address individual needs so that the users get the maximum benefit from it and their overall competency level increases.
9. Learning outcomes are clearly defined and measured.
VBT is capable of tracking metrics on users so that they can be objectively assessed and graded on their performance. Improvement over time can be tracked and measured additionally adding to its value.
10. The simulator is a valid (high-‐fidelity) approximation of clinical practice.
Actual hospital’s instruments, trays and equipment are used in VBT’s highly visual software to ensure that the simulator mirrors the specific facilities equipment. This feature lends to its accuracy and effectiveness as a simulation-‐learning tool.
Addressing the Need to Accelerate Scrub Staff Learning
In 2009, Bryan published the principles of Adult Learning that apply to medical related training. He identified 5 key principles that are required in order to impact adult learning, they are listed below. Surgical scrub staff learns in an accelerated manner due to the software incorporating the 5 key principles identified by Bryan.
1. Adult learners need to know why they are learning.
2. Adult learners are motivated by the need to solve problems.
3. The previous experiences of adult learners must be respected and built upon. 4. The educational approach should match the diversity and background of adult learners.
5. Adults need to be involved actively in the process.
Virtual BackTable
S2 Interactive® has developed Virtual BackTable to directly address the need for a simulation option available to surgical staff. It is highly customizable to address specific needs of facilities in terms of surgeon specific procedure content. The software uses high-‐quality imagery to enhance the user’s experience and exposure to instrumentation used in the operating room. The content within the software for surgeon specific procedures gives the surgical staff all of the information that they would need to know for that procedure in a platform that is easy to navigate. The user can view the surgeon specific instrument sequences. They can also practice replicating the procedure to improve their competency and performance in the operating room. The user is scored immediately to reinforce best practices. Repetition on simulators is proven to have improved results for staff’s intra-‐operative performance. With the introduction of Virtual BackTable the scrub staff can practice any procedure in any specialty as often as they choose.
Customer Comment:
“The software that S2Interactive uses is awesome. As a traveler I felt very comfortable using the software and it was very helpful when learning the surgeon’s preferences. When working at a hospital for only a small amount of time any help is always appreciated!!! S2 Interactive is a great help for travelers as well as full time staff.” -‐ (CST) Certified Surgical Technologist
Bibliography
1. Bryan R, Kreuter M, Brownson R. “Integrating adult learning principles into training for public health practice.” Health Promot Pract. doi:// 10.1177/1524839907308117. Available at: http://hpp. sagepub.com.
2. Medical Education 2006; 40: 792–797doi:10.1111/j.1365-‐2929.2006.02528.
3. The Utility of Simulation in Medical Education: What Is the Evidence? Yasuharu Okuda, MD, Ethan O. Bryson, MD, Samuel DeMaria Jr, MD, Lisa Jacobson, MD, Joshua Quinones, MD, Bing Shen, MD, and Adam I. Levine, MD. MOUNT SINAI JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 76:330 – 343, 2009 4. http://www.prweb.com/releases/medical-‐simulation-‐market/healthcare-‐products-‐ tech/prweb10839359.htm 5. http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-‐Reports/healthcare-‐medical-‐simulation-‐market-‐ 1156.html 6. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/research-‐markets-‐global-‐healthcare-‐medical-‐ 132400678.html
7. Bauer Ph.D., Jeffrey. “The Future of Medical Simulation: New Foundations for Education and Clinical Practice. White Paper ACS Healthcare Solutions, January, 2006.
8. http://www.learningportstrategies.com/wpcontent/uploads/2011/10/future_of_medic
al_simulation2011.pdf
9. http://nicholasspooner.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/simulation-‐review-‐v6-‐nicholas-‐ spooner.pdf
©2013 S2interactive, Inc. All rights reserved. Patent Pending
Virtual BackTable & TrayTouch are registered trademarks of S2 Interactive, Inc.
