ISRCTN ISRCTN27154417
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN27154417
ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02777333
Secondary identifying numbers MSD-IDREC-C1-2014-152
Submission date
09/05/2016
Registration date
28/07/2016
Last edited
09/08/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Surgery
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Surgeons in training are taught a range of skills, including technical skills, communication, clinical knowledge and anatomy, and decision making. On a background of decreasing working time available, less independent operating, and greater public expectations of the medical profession, simulation is seen as an important support to routine surgical training. However, there is little evidence to say it improves surgical performance, and these studies are not based on factual measurements but rather opinions. The aim of this study is to use motion analysis to specifically assess the technical skills aspects of surgical training, and in order to find out whether simulation training can improve performance.

Who can participate?
Adults enrolled in Health Education Thames Valley/Oxford Deanery Training Programme in junior surgical training posts.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group take part in normal clinical training alone. Those in the second group take part in one hour additional simulation training a week for thirteen weeks. The simulation sessions themselves involve self-directed practice on bench-top simulators, which monitor performance using wireless elbow mounted motion sensors recording hand movements, smoothness of hand movements and time taken.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The main benefits of participating are the additional training opportunities given. These will also be offered to those who take part in usual training alone at the end of the study. There are no notable risks involved with participating.

Where is the study run from?
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2015 to January 2017

Who is funding the study?
Royal College of Surgeons of England (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Mr Patrick Garfjeld Roberts

Contact information

Mr Patrick Garfjeld Roberts
Scientific

Botnar Research Centre
University of Oxford
Windmill Road
Oxford
OX3 7LD
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-2316-5089
Phone +44 1865 227 374
Email patrick.garfjeldroberts@ndorms.ox.ac.uk

Study information

Study designSingle blinded randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleDoes simulation training improve intra-operative arthroscopic technical skills performance in junior orthopaedic trainees?
Study objectivesThat the addition of simulation training improves arthroscopic technical skills performance of junior orthopaedic trainees during knee arthroscopy in the operating theatre compared to usual clinical training programme.
Ethics approval(s)Medical Sciences Interdivisional Research Ethics Committee, University of Oxford, 12/09/2014, ref: MSD-IDREC-C1-2014-152
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedArthroscopic surgery training
InterventionParticipants are randomly allocated to one of two groups using a blocked randomisation with random block sizes and a 1:1 allocation ratio.

Control/Non-simulation study arm: Participants will receive no additional treatment/training beyond their usual day to day clinical work as a senior house officer level trainee (including but not limited to: ward work, attending theatre, clinics, out-of-hours/‘on-call’) for the 13 weeks of the study.

Intervention/simulation study arm: Participants will receive weekly 1 hour simulation sessions over 13 weeks at the skills lab at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, arranged on an individual basis to fit around clinical commitments. The simulation sessions will involve self directed practice on non-anatomical and anatomic arthroscopic bench-top simulators (#1711-1 and #1517-29-11 available from SawBones, Malmo, SE), during which they can monitor their performance using wireless elbow mounted motion sensors recording hand movements, smoothness of hand movements and time taken.

Total duration is 13 weeks in both groups.

Both groups will be followed up at 13 weeks, with no planned further follow up.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureMotion analysis parameters ('hand movements', 'minor hand movements', 'smoothness of movements', 'time taken', 'maximum hand acceleration', 'stationary time', 'idle time' and 'hand dominance') are measured using wireless elbow mounted motion sensors during diagnostic knee arthroscopy at 3 months.
Secondary outcome measures1. Performance during diagnostic knee arthroscopy is measured using the Global rating scale at 3 months
2. Motion analysis parameters as a function of 'ideal' motion analysis parameters are judged by a supervising clinician during the same case at 3 months
3. Change in simulator performance using motion analysis parameters at baseline and 3 months
4. Structural and functional changes on fMRI using resting state networks, voxel based morphometry, diffusion tractography and quantitative magnetisation transfer is measured at 3 month follow up by comparison to baseline fMRI
5. Feasibility of simulation training during usual clinical training is measured using a qualitative survey designer for this study at 3 month follow up
Overall study start date03/03/2015
Completion date01/01/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Health professional
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants30
Key inclusion criteria1. Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
2. Healthy adults, Male or Female, aged 18 years or above
3. Enrolled in Health Education Thames Valley/Oxford Deanery Training Programme in junior surgical training posts
Key exclusion criteria1. Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent
2. Previously completed higher surgical training programme
Date of first enrolment01/01/2016
Date of final enrolment01/09/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
Windmill Road
Oxford
OX3 7LD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Oxford
University/education

Clinical Trials & Research Governance | Research Services
University of Oxford
Joint Research Office, Block 60, Churchill Hospital
Oxford
OX3 7LE
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 1865 572221
Email karl.shepherd@admin.ox.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/052gg0110

Funders

Funder type

Other

Royal College of Surgeons of England
Private sector organisation / Associations and societies (private and public)
Alternative name(s)
RCS
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2017
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planThe results of this study will contribute to a DPhil thesis, and will be submitted to academic peer reviewed journals and conferences, likely with an orthopaedic, arthroscopic or medical education focus.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/04/2019 09/08/2019 Yes No

Editorial Notes

09/08/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
3. The NCT code has been added.