Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Virtual simulation endoscopy training might possibly effectively supplement conventional patient-based training, but the evidence is insufficient for conclusions.

The quality of evidence is downgraded by study limitations (methodological heterogeneity) and by indirectness.

Summary

A Cochrane review included 13 trials, with a total of 278 health care professional participating, to assess whether virtual reality simulation training can supplement and/or replace conventional endoscopy training in diagnostic oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and/or sigmoideoscopy. Due to clinical and methodological heterogeneity it was not possible to pool study data in order to perform a meta-analysis.

Nine trials compared simulation-based training with no intervention. Simulation-based training appeared to provide participants with some advantage as measured by composite score of competency, independent procedure completion, performance time, overall rating of performance or competency error rate and mucosal visualization.

Four trials compared simulation-based training with conventional patient-based endoscopy training whereas nine trials compared simulation-based training with no training. There was no conclusive evidence that simulation-based training was superior to conventional patient-based training, although data were limited.

Clinical comments

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Ədəbiyyat

1. Walsh CM, Sherlock ME, Ling SC et al. Virtual reality simulation training for health professions trainees in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;6:CD008237.