Posters

Patients' perception of the role of trabeculectomy surgery simulation in ophthalmic training

Poster Details

First Author: R.Krishnan UK

Co Author(s): H. Naveed   T. Kersey                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Simulation is a growing field of surgical training and provides learning opportunities without the risk of negative patient outcomes. Touch Surgery is an app that can be downloaded onto phones or tablets and simulates many surgical procedures across specialties including trabeculectomy. Simulation is increasingly used in ophthalmic training yet we are unaware how it is perceived by the patients we treat.

Setting:

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Ophthalmology department.

Methods:

Patients in the ophthalmology department waiting room at Frimley Park Hospital were given 10min with a tablet based simulation app on trabeculectomy created by Touch Surgery. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire to ascertain their perception of simulation as part of the ophthalmic training pathway. 50 patients were approached and their views recorded on a 5-point Likert scale. The aim being to establish patients' perceptions towards trabeculectomy simulation and its role in ophthalmic surgical training.

Results:

Patients' perception of simulation was very positive. 91% of the participants believed simulation is used in training and all felt it should be compulsory part of ophthalmic surgical training. 91% perceived surgeons who have been additionally trained on simulators to be safer and better surgeons. A further 91% of participants wanted their surgeons to be additionally trained on simulators. The experience of taking part in the survey was also positive as they enjoyed the opportunity to use the simulator and they all felt better informed about ophthalmic surgery.

Conclusions:

Patients clearly believe additional access to simulation based learning would be beneficial in ophthalmic training. It would increase the patient population's confidence in the operator and in the perceived safety of the operation. Such data would support an increasing role of simulation-based training opportunities.

Financial Disclosure:

None