Clinical assessment of a training simulator for retinal photocoagulation

Abstract

Training simulators can provide a new way to the apprenticeship of surgery. By the clinical use of a retinal photocoagulation simulator, we assessed its efficiency to train a group of residents to this technique. An another group, taken as reference, was simultaneously trained by the usual method. The results show that this new training mode is at least as efficient as the current one. This may give a new approach in the medical teaching, particularly in the valuation of ability. On an other hand, this study emphasizes the difficulties in introducing a new modality in a traditionnal teaching environment.