Comparative effectiveness of telesimulation versus standard simulation for pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) essential skills training

BACKGROUND: Proctored on site simulation-based surgical education has been integrated in our residents curricula since 2012. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and social distance protocols, we developed a Tele-assisted Essential Skills Training Module (T-ESTM). The aim of this study is to evaluate comparative effectiveness between Telesimulation (T) versus Standard Simulation (S) for minimally invasive surgery (MIS) essential skills training. METHODS: ESTM includes academic lectures, tutorials for ergonomics and 7 hands-on tasks scheduled into 2 sessions of 3 hours. Initial and final assessment scoring (adapted from GOALS) as well as timing for 3 of the tasks were registered. Telesimulation (T) group accessed the content online and completed their Hands-On practice through a digital communication platform. Standard Simulation (S) group attended conferences and Hands-On practice at the simulation center. Both groups were proctored by the same educators with summative and formative feedback and debriefing. Data was analyzed with the R-studio software program. RESULTS: Each group had 20 participants with a mean age of 28 ± 5 years. 67.5% were surgeons in training, 47.5% had performed low complexity procedures and 40% had previous experience with simulation training. We observed a significant improvement in scoring and time reduction for all assessed tasks in S and T groups (p < 0.001), with no statistically significant differences when comparing both groups. Similar performance could be achieved with both strategies. CONCLUSION: Telesimulation is a reproducible and effective educational tool for remote MIS essential skills training, and should be considered as an alternative to on-site simulation programs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II. TYPE OF STUDY: Clinical Research.