Hostname: page-component-6766d58669-zlvph Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-20T00:49:52.887Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The role of virtual reality in the changing landscape of surgical training

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 October 2020

J R Abbas ,
J J Kenth  and
I A Bruce
J R Abbas*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, North West Deanery, UK
J J Kenth
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Anaesthesia, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK,
I A Bruce
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric ENT, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Jonathan R Abbas, Paediatric ENT Department, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9WL, UK E-mail: Jonathan.abbas@doctors.org.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

The current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges to surgical training across the world. With the widespread cancellations of clinical and academic activities, educators are looking to technological advancements to help ‘bridge the gap’ and continue medical education.

Solutions

Simulation-based training as the ‘gold standard’ for medical education has limitations that prevent widespread adoption outside suitably resourced centres. Virtual reality has the potential to surmount these barriers, whilst fulfilling the fundamental aim of simulation-based training to provide a safe, effective and realistic learning environment.

Current limitations and insights for future

The main limitations of virtual reality technology include comfort and the restrictive power of mobile processors. There exists a clear developmental path to address these restrictions. Continued developments of the hardware and software set to deepen immersion and widen the possibilities within surgical education.

Conclusion

In the post coronavirus disease 2019 educational landscape, virtual, augmented and mixed reality technology may prove invaluable in the training of the next generation of surgeons.

Keywords

Virtual RealityAugmented RealityEducationSimulation TrainingCoronavirus

Information

Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 134 , Issue 10 , October 2020 , pp. 863 - 866
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

Mr J R Abbas takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

Chick, RC, Clifton, GT, Peace, KM, Propper, BW, Hale, DF, Alseidi, AA et al. Using technology to maintain the education of residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Surg Educ 2020;77:729–32CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lexico Dictionary. Virtual reality. In: https://www.lexico.com/definition/virtual_reality [22 September 2020]Google Scholar
Sabbagh, AJ, Bajunaid, KM, Alarifi, N, Winkler-Schwartz, A, Alsideiri, G, Al-Zhrani, G et al. Roadmap for developing complex virtual reality simulation scenarios: the subpial neurosurgical tumor resection model. World Neurosurg 2020;139:e220–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kuo, RL, Delvecchio, FC, Preminger, GM. Virtual reality: current urologic applications and future developments. J Endourol 2001;15:117–22CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bernardo, A. Virtual reality and simulation in neurosurgical training. World Neurosurg 2017;106:1015–29CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hamacher, A, Whangbo, TK, Kim, SJ, Chung, KJ. Virtual reality and simulation for progressive treatments in urology. Int Neurourol J 2018;22:151–60CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jensen, K, Ringsted, C, Hansen, HJ, Petersen, RH, Konge, L. Simulation-based training for thoracoscopic lobectomy: a randomized controlled trial: virtual-reality versus black-box simulation. Surg Endosc 2014;28:1821–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartlett, JD, Lawrence, JE, Stewart, ME, Nakano, N, Khanduja, V. Does virtual reality simulation have a role in training trauma and orthopaedic surgeons? Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:559–65CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mahmood, T, Scaffidi, MA, Khan, R, Grover, SC. Virtual reality simulation in endoscopy training: current evidence and future directions. World J Gastroenterol 2018;24:5439–45CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ko, JKY, Cheung, VYT, Pun, TC, Tung, WK. A randomized controlled trial comparing trainee-directed virtual reality simulation training and box trainer on the acquisition of laparoscopic suturing skills. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2018;40:310–16CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lui, JT, Hoy, MY. Evaluating the effect of virtual reality temporal bone simulation on mastoidectomy performance: a meta-analysis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2017;156:1018–24CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Al-Noury, K. Virtual reality simulation in ear microsurgery: a pilot study. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2012;64:162–6CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Winkler, N, Röthke, K, Siegfried, N, Benlian, A. Lose yourself in VR: exploring the effects of virtual reality on individuals’ immersion. In: Proceedings of the 53rd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. Manoa: HICSS, 2020;1510–19Google Scholar
Luigi Ingrassia, P, Ragazzoni, L, Carenzo, L, Colombo, D, Ripoll Gallardo, A, Della Corte, F. Virtual reality and live simulation: a comparison between two simulation tools for assessing mass casualty triage skills. Eur J Emerg Med 2015;22:121–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reznek, M, Harter, P, Krummel, T. Virtual reality and simulation: training the future emergency physician. Acad Emerg Med 2002;9:78–87CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bracq, MS, Michinov, E, Jannin, P. Virtual reality simulation in nontechnical skills training for healthcare professionals: a systematic review. Simul Healthc 2019;14:188–94CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
NHS Employers. TCS for doctors and dentists in training (England) 2016 - December 2019. In: https://www.nhsemployers.org/pay-pensions-and-reward/medical-staff/doctors [22 September 2020]Google Scholar
Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme. What you need to know about the new curriculum planned for August 2020. In: https://www.iscp.ac.uk/iscp/content/articles/curriculum-update01/#heading_0 [14 May 2020]Google Scholar
Hegland, PA, Aarlie, H, Stromme, H, Jamtvedt, G. Simulation-based training for nurses: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Educ Today 2017;54:6–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van de Ven, J, van Baaren, GJ, Fransen, AF, van Runnard Heimel, PJ, Mol, BW, Oei, SG. Cost-effectiveness of simulation-based team training in obstetric emergencies (TOSTI study). Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2017;216:130–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yiasemidou, M, Gkaragkani, E, Glassman, D, Biyani, CS. Cadaveric simulation: a review of reviews. Ir J Med Sci 2018;187:827–33CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Berg, H, Steinsbekk, A. Is individual practice in an immersive and interactive virtual reality application non-inferior to practicing with traditional equipment in learning systematic clinical observation? A randomized controlled trial. BMC Med Educ 2020;20:123CrossRefGoogle Scholar
British Laryngological Association. COVID-19 Tracheostomy Guideline. In: https://www.britishlaryngological.org/sites/default/files/BLA%20Tracheostomy%20guideline%20-BLA%20April%202020%20FINAL.pdf [22 September 2020]Google Scholar
ENT, UK. Aerosol-generating procedures in ENT. In: https://www.entuk.org/aerosol-generating-procedures-ent [22 September 2020]Google Scholar
Satava, RM. Virtual reality surgical simulator. The first steps. Surg Endosc 1993;7:203–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dziuda, L, Biernacki, MP, Baran, PM, Truszczynski, OE. The effects of simulated fog and motion on simulator sickness in a driving simulator and the duration of after-effects. Appl Ergon 2014;45:406–12CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Moss, JD, Muth, ER. Characteristics of head-mounted displays and their effects on simulator sickness. Hum Factors 2011;53:308–19CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Appel, L, Appel, E, Bogler, O, Wiseman, M, Cohen, L, Ein, N et al. Older adults with cognitive and/or physical impairments can benefit from immersive virtual reality experiences: a feasibility study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019;6:329CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Market Research Future. Global Virtual Reality in Gaming Market Research (Headsets, Devices, Glasses, Gloves), By Software, By Compatibility (MMOs, Smartphones, Casual Web games, Console)- Forecast 2023. In: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/virtual-reality-gaming-market-2967] [22 September 2020]Google Scholar
GlobalData. Virtual/Augmented Reality in Healthcare – Thematic Research. In: https://store.globaldata.com/report/gdhcht046--virtual-augmented-reality-in-healthcare-thematic-research/ [22 September 2020]Google Scholar