PERSPECTIVES

Drs. Goel and Bhandari discussed the use of virtual reality (VR) in orthopaedic surgeons’ education. Our discussion uncovered 3 core themes. These themes and their supporting insights are highlighted below.

1. Models of Education

The question of how to improve a surgeons’ skill set and surgical education models has been the driving force for Dr. Goel’s software company (Precision OS). According to Fleming's philosophy (Neil Fleming, the VARK model), there are different models of learning, including visual (V), auditory (A), read/write (R) and kinesthetic (K) modalities. People are trying to embody Fleming’s philosophy in an effective learning path in orthopaedics.

 

In the traditional education model, learners watch a senior surgeon/expert operate or walk through a procedure, or watch a video of such demonstrations, and then practice the procedure themselves. The traditional model is usually a method of learning in an artificial environment. Yet, it is the large amount of time spent in the operating room (OR) or in front of patients afterwards that makes the difference in a surgeon’s skill set.

 

The current surrogate of the education model is to practice on cadavers or sawbones. To Dr. Goel’s knowledge, however, there is little evidence to show that practice on a cadaver or a sawbone increases skills or provides a similar experience to the real operating scenario. There is a learning gap for trainees with this education method.

Furthermore, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, elective surgeries were stopped and new courses with cadavers or sawbones have not been developed. As a result, the “hands-on” kinesthetic aspect of the education model has essentially stopped. This will leave an impact on students’ ability to regain their “learning curve” that they had established by practicing for months or years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Dr. Goel’s view, this could cause skill decay or a big gap in education that has not been addressed in orthopaedics.

2. Benefits of VR in Orthopaedic Education

Drs. Goel and Bhandari regarded VR as a viable replacement education method, and discussed various benefits of VR in orthopaedic education. 

 

1) The technical aspect of benefit: ability of providing a pathologic condition.

In a software/digital environment, it is feasible to introduce a pathologic condition that would be seen in patients; whereas in a cadaver, it is a normal anatomic situation for trainees to practice. Taking a reverse shoulder arthroplasty as an example, the angle and position of the guide pin is the most important part of the surgery. VR can provide the condition of abnormal glenoid erosion and accurate measurement of glenoid version, tilt and the angle of the guide pin, whereas practice in a cadaver does not have these advantages.

 

2) Assessment of time between every step in a procedure or surgery.

The software can measure the delay in time between one step to the other. There has been literature to support that the estimate of the delay in time between procedural steps can be a metric of assessing an individual’s ability to make a decision.

 

3) Accurate assessment of personal performance.

The software can be used to assess personal ability to perform a procedure with accurate, objective, quantifiable measurement. If a trainee places anterior and posterior pins in an internal fixation procedure for a fracture, the VR tool can measure their position with precision reaching to millimeters in the digital space. This is superior to the traditional method of X-ray assessment and examiners’ subjective judgement.

 

4) Opportunity of exposure and capacity of remediation.

Simulation technology offers an opportunity to anyone to identify his or her potential gifts in orthopaedic surgery training or practice. It also helps provide capacity for more practice to residents who find themselves struggling, to try more and to get remediation in their training.

5) VR tools can provide users with a variety of environments and volume of surgeries.

With simulation softwares and VR tools, practitioners can reach a volume of surgeries, and more importantly, a variation in that volume that makes surgeons excel in their position.

3. Strategies of Promoting VR in Orthopaedic Education

In Dr. Goel’s opinion, simulation approaches in orthopaedic education are beneficial for skill set development. There is a lack of emphasis on the benefits of VR in healthcare and orthopaedic education. Educators and policy-makers are advised to promote the use of VR and integrate simulation tools in residency training programs.

SENSE-MAKING

Drs. Goel and Bhandari discussed how virtual reality plays a role in orthopaedic training based on Fleming’s philosophy of education models. They discussed the benefits of VR training and strategies for promoting its use in residents.