Simulation Training for Laparoscopic Surgery Can Improve Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques for Interns and Probationers

Objective: The clinical clerkship and practice stage plays a pivotal role in the transition of medical students from theoretical knowledge to practical application, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-life clinical experience. In order to improve the teaching quality of interns and probationers, we try to let them practice the skills of laparoscopic surgery in the early stage, and summed up a set of evaluation methods that can be widely used in medical education. Methods: From September 2019 to December 2019, a total of 54 interns and 72 trainees were selected as research objects. They were assigned to training sessions and their proficiency was assessed before and after the training. The change in proficiency is compared to determine whether the training course is valuable. Results: Before the operation training, the interns’ scores were BP 17.3 ± 3.1, CC 17.9 ± 3.4, KT 16.4 ± 3.4, LS 16.7 ± 3.3. The results of probationers were BP 16.9 ± 2.7, CC 16.8 ± 2.8, KT 15.2 ± 1.6, and LS 14.8 ± 2.2. After completing the operations training, the results of interns were BP 21.1 ± 1.9, CC 20.6 ± 2.7, KT 19.6 ± 3.0, and LS 20.9 ± 1.4. The probationers’ scores were BP 19.3 ± 3.2, CC 19.6 ± 3.5, KT 19.6 ± 2.6, and LS 20.0 ± 2.4. After the operation training, the performance of the intern group was better than that before the training (P < 0.05). The same is true of the probationer group. The time-consuming intern examinations were BP 147.9 ± 38.5 s, CC 123.2 ± 28.7 s, KT 82.6 ± 24.1 s and LS 162.5 ± 31.1 s. The examination time of probationers were BP 179.9 ± 46.4 s, CC 132.1 ± 24.3 s, KT 109.3 ± 27.5 s and LS 210.0 ± 58.8 s. Conclusion: Simulation training for laparoscopic surgery can improve minimally invasive surgical techniques for interns and probationers.