Riassunto dello studio

Twenty-six resident and senior orthopaedic surgeons were randomized to receive glenoid exposure procedure training using an immersive virtual reality (VR) platform or with a standard journal article outlining procedural steps. Outcomes of interest included knowledge test scores, time to training completion, time to glenoid exposure and objective structured assessment of technical skill (OSATS) scores during cadaveric testing, realism and content validity, and enjoyment and perceived benefit. Study results found similar knowledge tests scores between the two treatment arms. However, the time to training completion was significantly shorter in the VR group compared to the control group in both resident and expert surgeons. In the resident surgeon group, OSATS instrument handling scores were significantly in favour of the VR group. Moreover, the time to glenoid exposure in the cadaveric test was significantly lower in the VR group. Overall realism and content validity scores (ability to teach glenoid preparation, teaching retractor placement) were significantly in favour of the VR group. The VR group reported significantly higher levels of enjoyment, and residents reported a perceived benefit of using VR and continuing its usage to be significantly greater compared to the control.