Harpham-Lockyer L, Laskaratos FM, Berlingieri P, Epstein O. Role of virtual reality simulation in endoscopy training. World J Gastrointest Endosc 2015; 7(18): 1287-1294 [PMID: 26675895 DOI: 10.4253/wjge.v7.i18.1287]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Faidon-Marios Laskaratos, MD, MSc, MRCP, Centre for Gastroenterology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom. flaskaratos@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastrointest Endosc. Dec 10, 2015; 7(18): 1287-1294 Published online Dec 10, 2015. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v7.i18.1287
Role of virtual reality simulation in endoscopy training
Louis Harpham-Lockyer, Faidon-Marios Laskaratos, Pasquale Berlingieri, Owen Epstein
Louis Harpham-Lockyer, Faidon-Marios Laskaratos, Owen Epstein, Centre for Gastroenterology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom
Faidon-Marios Laskaratos, Academic Centre for Medical Education, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
Pasquale Berlingieri, Owen Epstein, Centre for Screen-Based Simulation, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Harpham-Lockyer L wrote the initial draft; all the authors contributed to the conception of this review and the revision of the manuscript; all the authors approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: None declared.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Correspondence to: Faidon-Marios Laskaratos, MD, MSc, MRCP, Centre for Gastroenterology, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom. flaskaratos@gmail.com
Telephone: +44-20-77940500 Fax: +44-20-77946614
Received: June 8, 2015 Peer-review started: June 11, 2015 First decision: July 29, 2015 Revised: September 28, 2015 Accepted: October 20, 2015 Article in press: October 27, 2015 Published online: December 10, 2015
Abstract
Recent advancements in virtual reality graphics and models have allowed virtual reality simulators to be incorporated into a variety of endoscopic training programmes. Use of virtual reality simulators in training programmes is thought to improve skill acquisition amongst trainees which is reflected in improved patient comfort and safety. Several studies have already been carried out to ascertain the impact that usage of virtual reality simulators may have upon trainee learning curves and how this may translate to patient comfort. This article reviews the available literature in this area of medical education which is particularly relevant to all parties involved in endoscopy training and curriculum development. Assessment of the available evidence for an optimal exposure time with virtual reality simulators and the long-term benefits of their use are also discussed.
Core tip: There is good evidence for the use of virtual reality simulation in endoscopy training programmes, with most benefit seen amongst novice trainees. More research is needed concerning the best integration of simulators within a training programme and the optimal exposure needed. Findings are limited by the variety of simulators used and limited power of the studies. More evidence is also needed to support the benefits virtual reality simulators may have within endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography training programmes.
