A Randomized Control Trial of a Simulation-based Curriculum to Enhance Skills in Colonoscopy

Unity Health Toronto

Status: Completed

Conditions: Colorectal Cancer

Treatments: Behavioral: Self-directed learning group; Behavioral: Curriculum Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01991522

13-197c

Details and patient eligibility

About

Colonoscopy is a commonly used medical procedure. Medical and surgical residents learning colonoscopy typically learn the procedure experientially but simulation based teaching is increasingly being integrated into training programs. The optimal manner to teach colonoscopy on virtual-reality simulators is uncertain. We aim to test a curriculum in simulation-based colonoscopy with self-directed learning on simulators.

Enrollment: 33 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Trainee endoscopists from the gastroenterology and general surgery programs at the University of Toronto

Exclusion criteria

• Greater than 20 colonoscopies performed

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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33 participants in 2 patient groups

Curriculum Group

Experimental group

Description:

The curriculum group will undergo a comprehensive curriculum in colonoscopy utilizing a virtual reality (VR) colonoscopic simulator. This curriculum involves 6 hours of interactive, small-group didactic teaching on colonoscopy interlaced with 8 hours of supervised one-on-one endoscopy VR simulation training with experienced endoscopists.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Curriculum Group

Self-directed learning group

Active Comparator group

Description:

The self-directed group will receive 8 hours of colonoscopic virtual reality (VR) simulation practice with an experienced endoscopist present, but without structured training.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Self-directed learning group