Assessing Neurosurgical Psychomotor Performance: Role of Virtual Reality Simulators, Current and Future Potential

Abstract

Training surgeons is a dynamic process which is evolving towards more objective measures of assessing psychomotor technical skills. The current method for assessing neurosurgical trainees' technical skills is the in-training evaluation report (ITER). Despite the wide use of ITER in neurosurgical training programs, multiple authors have criticized its assessment validity. A number of other tools, designed and validated in the last two decades to assess the technical and cognitive skills of surgical procedures, will be discussed. Advances in computer-based technology have created significant opportunities for implementing new neurosurgical training paradigms focusing on improving neurosurgical bimanual psychomotor skill acquisition, better documenting surgical skills assessment and potentially enhancing procedural outcomes. A number of simulators have been developed for training residents involving a variety of neurosurgical purposes, ranging from simple procedures to full preoperative planning simulation. This communication will focus on our recent results utilizing the NeuroTouch virtual reality simulator platform which provides haptic feedback to investigate a series of questions that relate to the concept of surgical expertise.