Computer-based simulation or traditional preparation
Authors:
R Ormiston, E Unwin
Hospital:
University Hospital Southampton NHS trust
Introduction
Higher surgical training in the UK generally adopts a Master-Apprentice model which relies on high contact hours. The EWTD, Covid-19 pandemic and a rise for consultant delivered care threaten this system. Computer-based simulation (CBS) is one form of augmenting surgical training. In orthopaedics, CBS is established in arthroscopic surgery, but not yet in fracture fixation surgery, which makes up more than 50% of the orthopaedic surgical curriculum.
Methods
Four databases ‘Web of Science’, ‘Embase’, ‘Medline’ and ‘OrthoSearch’ were searched using the terms ‘orthopaedic’, ‘fracture’, ‘simulation’ and ‘education’. Two relevant journals, two conferences and two registries were hand searched. All searches were between Jan 2010 and April 2022. Selected articles underwent a backwards and forwards citation search. 1,285 articles were identified and screened for selection. Two reviewers independently extracted outcome data and completed a risk of bias analysis. Selected studies were included in a direction of effect synthesis and appropriate studies were included in a meta-analysis.
Results
15 studies totalling 350 participants, measuring the development of participants’ knowledge, skills, and competencies, were included for direction of effect analysis. 86% (13/15) favoured CBS over traditional preparation. A meta-analysis of 4 studies, totalling 62 participants, measuring OSATS score favoured CBS, Standard Mean Difference = 1.06 (95% CI; -0.34, 2.45) (Z=1.48)(P=0.14).
Conclusions
Participants in this systematic review range from medical students to fellows; outcomes measure knowledge, skills and competencies and the control groups are varied. Despite this heterogenicity CBS is favoured consistently, and the heterogenicity of these results means this evidence is generalisable to a wide educational context within orthopaedic fracture surgery.