Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
Simendo was part of the Lister Skills Competition in Edinburgh organized by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
The competition was setup by a group of high level tasks varying from anatomical knowledge, O.R.-room scenario's up to laparoscopic skills tests using the Simendo. The attending students were selected by local pre-competitions of surgical trainees all over Great Brittan. The competition was well organized and the enthusiasm under the competitors was impressive.
More information about the Lister Skills Competition is available at: http://rcse.1cm.me.uk/surgical-skills/england/
Date: 17/02/2012
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Date: 07/07/2011
Gaming skills required for trainee laparoscopic surgeons
Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery, requires specific skills. Trainee surgeons at the AMC are therefore required to practice the techniques before going into the OR, and they have now all been tested and meet the requirements. "Nobody works at the operating table without laparoscopy experience," says Marlies Schijven, surgeon and training coordinator. This makes the AMC the first hospital in the Netherlands to comply with the requirements of the Inspectorate of Public Health. They stated back in 2008 that high-risk techniques must only be used by surgeons who can demonstrate that they have the requisite skills. The AMC uses a specially designed simulator for laparoscopy training, Simendo (SIMulator for ENDOscopy).
The OR is forbidden territory for trainee surgeons at the AMC unless they have sufficient basic laparoscopy skills. These are acquired by training with Simendo, a computer that is connected up to laparoscopic instruments. Simendo guides users through a series of exercises and then gives a report on how they have performed. A certificate is awarded at the end of the training programme. Surgeons have been involved in the development and validation of the exercises on the Simendo, which means that all the exercises match up well to surgical practices. It is an example of simulation combined with serious gaming: the use of techniques from computer games for educational applications.
Laparoscopic interventions are performed through a small "keyhole" made in the abdomen, through which the surgeon - aided by a miniature camera - inserts the instruments for the operation and performs the procedure. There are major benefits to this: the patient recovers more quickly and can therefore be discharged earlier and will experience less pain. If surgeons are not able to gain enough experience with the technique during their training, the likelihood of unnecessary complications does increase. Marlies Schijven says, "Laparoscopy requires a certain learned dexterity - like parking a car backwards. You have to do things that are sometimes different from what you're used to, and so you have to practice. Preferably not on a patient straight away, of course, but using a simulator first. Which is therefore what we do at the AMC."
Date: 31/03/2011