Strategies for Training Technical and Non-technical Surgical Skills

摘要

Even though laparoscopic surgery has become the preferred technique for many surgeons, the methodsof training are not standardized. Most simulators and training programs focus on training technical skills,neglecting very important non-technical skills. This study examined the benefits of different strategies oftraining both technical and non-technical skills amongst different experience levels. Twenty-seven subjectsparticipated in the study (9 novices, 9 intermediate experience level subjects, and 9 advanced subjects).They were divided into 3 groups: technical, non-technical, and combined. Subjects practiced a purelytechnical, purely non-technical, and a combined technical and non-technical simulated surgical task. Datafrom pre-test and post-test scores as well as the last training block of combined training were analyzed fortime to completion, number of technical errors and number of non-technical errors. Results suggest thatthere may be a benefit to training non-technical skills alone first, or in conjunction with technical surgicalskills in novices during the beginning phases of learning.