J.S. Laue1, R. Najjar1, F.W. Smith1, L. Frost1, R. Smalligan1 1University Of Alabama at Birmingham, Huntsville Campus, Huntsville, AL, USA
Introduction:
Over 15 million surgeries in the US were performed using laparoscopic techniques in 2023, with an expected increase in the upcoming years. Medical students with an interest in surgery would greatly benefit from practicing laparoscopic skills on a simulator to develop the fine motor skills that are required for these procedures. Hands-on experience may also encourage students to pursue careers in surgery. The objectives of this innovation were twofold: (1) Develop a laparoscopic simulator lab (2) devise a training curriculum to incorporate into the surgical clerkship that improves student skills and increases attending surgeons’ confidence in student capability.
Methods:
A medical student proposed the creation of two laparoscopic simulators and a curriculum for UABHSOM Huntsville students interested in surgery during their surgical clerkship. After approval by campus leadership, the student worked with surgeons to request laparoscopic boxes from Ethicon, requisitioned laparoscopic instruments from Huntsville Hospital OR sterilization technicians, developed a training space with necessary accessory equipment with the simulation lab director, and consulted the surgical clerkship leader on the simulator and procedural skills the training curriculum should include.
Results:
Each laparoscopic kit is composed of a laparoscopic box, training activity cartridges, laparoscopic instruments, video monitor, and computer. The laparoscopic instruments included two Maryland dissectors, one 30-degree angled camera with USB connection, one curved scissor, one needle driver, and one grasper. A training curriculum was designed to introduce novice students to the kit, included instruments and devices, camera driving skills, the ability to perceive 3D landscape as a 2D image, and how to improve hand eye coordination and laparoscopic instrumentation precision. The goal of the curriculum is to allow students to better assist surgeons with all aspects of common laparoscopic surgery.
Conclusion:
This innovation is now primed to allow students to acquire basic laparoscopic skills outside the operating room and prepare them to participate more actively while on surgical rotations. The new kits available for free use with help from the simulation lab coordinator, faculty or experienced students as needed. Surgical clerkship students will also undergo initial laparoscopic training focusing on camera driving on the first day of their rotation with additional skill check offs throughout the rotation. These students will be surveyed before and after their laparoscopic training on confidence, knowledge, and skills. Clerkship surgeons will also be surveyed on their impression of student capability and effect on active participation opportunities from the training. Evaluation of feedback will provide further understanding in the value of laparoscopic training for medical students and to the extent it enhances the surgical clerkship.