Collaborative Team Training in Virtual Reality is Superior To Individual Learning For Performing Complex Open Surgery: A Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVETo assess whether multiplayer immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) training was superior to single-player training for the acquisition of both technical and nontechnical skills in learning complex surgery.BACKGROUNDSuperior teamwork in the operating room (OR) is associated with improved technical performance and clinical outcomes. iVR can successfully train OR staff individually; however, iVR team training has yet to be investigated.METHODSForty participants were randomized to individual or team iVR training. Individually trained participants practiced alongside virtual avatar counterparts, whereas teams trained live in pairs. Both groups underwent 5 iVR training sessions over 6 weeks. Subsequently, they completed a real-life assessment in which they performed anterior approach total hip arthroplasty surgery on a high-fidelity model with real equipment in a simulated OR. Teams performed together, and individually trained participants were randomly paired up. Videos were marked by 2 blinded assessors recording the 'Non-Operative Technical Skills for Surgeons, Oxford NOn-TECHnical Skills II and Scrub Practitioners' List of Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills' scores. Secondary outcomes were procedure duration and the number of technical errors.RESULTSTeams outperformed individually trained participants for nontechnical skills in the real-world assessment (Non-Operative Technical Skills for Surgeons: 13.1±1.5 vs 10.6±1.6, P = 0.002, Non-TECHnical Skills II score: 51.7 ± 5.5 vs 42.3 ± 5.6, P = 0.001 and Scrub Practitioners' List of Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills: 10 ± 1.2 vs 7.9 ± 1.6, P = 0.004). They completed the assessment 33% faster (28.2 minutes ± 5.5 vs 41.8 ± 8.9, P < 0.001), and made fewer than half the number of technical errors (10.4 ± 6.1 vs 22.6 ± 5.4, P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSMultiplayer training leads to faster surgery with fewer technical errors and the development of superior nontechnical skills.