1. Evaluation of a low-fidelity ear surgery simulator in a low-resource setting.
- Author
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LUU, K., STRAATMAN, L., NAKKU, D., WESTERBERG, B., CARTER, N., and CLARK, M.
- Subjects
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MIDDLE ear surgery , *CLINICAL medicine , *EAR surgery , *TEST validity , *FOREIGN bodies , *LEARNING strategies , *EVALUATION of medical care , *MEDICAL care costs , *MEDICAL education , *MICROSURGERY , *VIDEO recording , *WORLD health , *MULTITRAIT multimethod techniques , *EQUIPMENT & supplies - Abstract
Objective: The provision of healthcare education in developing countries is a complex problem that simulation has the potential to help. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost ear surgery simulator, the Ear Trainer. Methods: The Ear Trainer was assessed in two low-resource environments in Cambodia and Uganda. Participants were video-recorded performing four specific middle-ear procedures, and blindly scored using a validated measurement tool. Face validity, construct validity and objective learning were assessed. Results: The Ear Trainer provides a realistic representation of the ear. Construct validity assessment confirmed that experts performed better than novices. Participants displayed improvement in all tasks except foreign body removal, likely because of a ceiling effect. Conclusion: This study validates the Ear Trainer as a useful training tool for otological microsurgical skills in developing world settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
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