Effect of training frequency on the learning curve on the da Vinci Skills Simulator

• Published in: Head & neck Vol. 38; no. S1; pp. E1762 - E1769
• Main Authors: Walliczek, Ute, Förtsch, Arne, Dworschak, Philipp, Teymoortash, Afshin, Mandapathil, Magis, Werner, Jochen, Güldner, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-04-2016
• Subjects: Adult; Clinical Competence; da Vinci Skills Simulator; Female; Humans; Learning Curve; Male; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - education; otorhinolaryngology; Prospective Studies; robotic surgery; robotic surgery education; Robotic Surgical Procedures - education; Simulation Training; Surgeons - education; training frequency; transoral robotic surgery; Young Adult; robotic surgery education; training frequency; da Vinci Skills Simulator; transoral robotic surgery; otorhinolaryngology; robotic surgery
• ISSN: 1043-3074; 1097-0347
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.24312

Background
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of training on the performance outcome with the da Vinci Skills Simulator.
Methods
Forty novices were enrolled in a prospective training curriculum. Participants were separated into 2 groups. Group 1 performed 4 training sessions and group 2 had 2 training sessions over a 4‐week period. Five exercises were performed 3 times consecutively. On the last training day, a new exercise was added.
Results
A significant skills gain from the first to the final practice day in overall performance, time to complete, and economy of motion was seen for both groups. Group 1 had a significantly better outcome in overall performance, time to complete, and economy of motion in all exercises. There was no significant difference found regarding the new exercise in group 1 versus group 2 in nearly all parameters.
Conclusion
Longer time distances between training sessions are assumed to play a secondary role, whereas total repetition frequency is crucial for improvement of technical performance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1762–E1769, 2016