A new study unveiled in Nature, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals, assessed for the first time the extrinsic and intrinsic construct validity of the Phacoemulsification modules of HelpMeSee (HMS) Surgery simulator, proving it is a highly promising cataract training module.

HelpMeSee (HMS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to end cataract blindness by vastly increasing access to treatment through the training of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery.

CONTEXT

Cataract, which is defined as lens opacification, is the primary cause of reversible blindness in the world, affecting 94 million people worldwide. The cataract treatment is surgical with Phacoemulsification (Phaco) remaining the standard procedure for over three decades in developed countries.

The Ophthalmology Department of Strasbourg University Hospital and Gepromed Education Department, also in Strasbourg, conducted a study to assess validity evidence of the new Phacoemulsification module of the HelpMeSee (HMS) virtual reality simulator.

© HelpMeSee

BACKGROUND

• Cross-sectional study: 20 surgeons divided into 2 groups based on their experience over or under 300 cataract surgeries

  • Predominantly right-handed males, with expert surgeons averaging 44 years and intermediate surgeons 29 years of age

  • Expert surgeons had completed around 2000 phacoemulsification surgeries compared to 150 by intermediates

• Surgeons filled out a background survey covering their phacoemulsification experience and prior simulator use

• Single-session simulations on 2 simulators, including HMS simulator

MEASURES AND METHODS

• Grip fatigue evaluation: handgrip strength was measured pre- and post-simulation

• Realism of the simulation: surgeons rated the perceived realism on a seven-point Likert scale

• Construct validity of HMS simulator evaluation based on the difference in total and module scores between both groups. Intrinsic validity evaluated to distinguish between expert-level surgeons (> 300 surgeries) and intermediate-level surgeons (< 300 surgeries). Extrinsic validity focused on correlating the overall HMS score with the score previously validated for another simulator

🔎 RESULTS

• Extrinsic and intrinsic construct validity of the Phacoemulsification module

• Ability to differentiate the level of the surgeons (beginner, intermediates, experts)

• Tactile feedback (incision, hydrosuture) allowing surgeons to practice incisions and experience the sensations of instrument entry and exit, as well as hydrosuturing

• Less grip fatigue post-simulation for experts compared to intermediates

• Potential to broaden simulation-based training by targeting diverse populations

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At InSimo, we are confident that this module can help train healthcare professionals around the world to fight against COVID-19.

InSimo and its medical partners are proud to release this free training system for Lung U/S COVID-19 Diagnosis. With this newly released simulator, find the easiest way to learn on your own device with no other requirements !

Over the last few weeks, our team has been deeply engaged in the development of this free training module. Developed in record time, it will be constantly updated and new content will be added regularly.

After the success of our project at Hacking Health Camp, where Sim&Care received the “Transgene – Health Factory – BioValley France” award, focus on our lumbar puncture simulator by France 3 Alsace.

With Sim&Care, the lumbar puncture gesture will be virtual, allowing medical student to train before performing the procedure on a real patient.

As explained by Pierre-Jean Bensoussan, COO of InSimo, “the advantage with the virtual world is the possibility to repeat gestures endlessly and to generate complications. There is a total freedom of educational creation“.

Thanks to our partners on the project, the rheumatology team of Strasbourg University Hospital, Health Factory, BioValley France and our Hacking Health Camp team, we will improve soon the training of lumbar puncture.

If you want to discover the story of the project, click here !

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