Journal of surgical education
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We developed and instituted a laparoscopic skills curriculum based on a virtual reality simulator, LapSim (Surgical Science, Göteborg, Sweden). Our goal was to improve basic skills in our residents. The hypothesis of this study is that performance in our course will differentiate levels of experience in the training program, establishing construct validity for our curriculum. ⋯ Individual performance in our curriculum correlates with the level of training for many drills, which establishes construct validity for this curriculum. Noncontributory drills may need to be revised or removed from the curriculum. Successful completion of this curriculum may lead to improved resident technical performance.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Will a 1-page informational handout decrease patients' most common fears of anesthesia and surgery?
The objective of this study was to determine whether an informational handout alone could measurably reduce some of the most common fears patients have about anesthesia and surgery. ⋯ With just over 40% of patients demonstrating a statistically significant reduction in their fear levels, consideration should given to making an informational handout available on a routine basis to patients in preoperative anesthesia and surgical clinics. Additionally, it seems that younger patients (under the age of 40 years old) and those with no prior surgeries are the most likely to benefit from such a handout.
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In penetrating abdominal trauma, diagnostic imaging and the application of selective clinical management may avoid negative celiotomy and improve outcome. ⋯ Nonselective immediate celiotomy for penetrating abdominal trauma results in a high rate of unnecessary surgery. Hemodynamically stable patients can safely be observed and/or have contrast CT scans and undergo delayed celiotomy, if indicated. This selective treatment had no adverse effect on patient outcomes and can potentially improve overall outcome.
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Our institute started laparoscopic simulator training for medical students in 2006. During the training, we observed considerable interindividual differences in laparoscopic skills among those students. This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors that affect laparoscopic skill by assessing the students' training results data. ⋯ In our interview, the factors that had a relationship to laparoscopic skills were favorableness to TV games, manual dexterity, and confidence about driving. These results were expected because TV games and driving a car require the same abilities as laparoscopic surgery. Psychomotor, perceptual, or visuospatial ability are essential for good performance. In conclusion, our study suggests that the interview can be an effective measure to examine the aptitude of medical students without the use of a simulator.