Abstract
Background While other surgical specialties have embraced virtual reality simulation for training
and recertification, microsurgery has lagged. This study aims to assess the opinions
of microsurgeons on the role of simulation in microsurgery assessment and training.
Methods We surveyed faculty members of the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery
to ascertain opinions on their use of simulation in training and opinions about the
utility of simulation for skills acquisition, teaching, and skills assessment. The
21-question survey was disseminated online to 675 members.
Results Eighty-nine members completed the survey for a 13.2% response rate. Few microsurgeons
have experience with high-fidelity simulation, and opinions on its utility are internally
inconsistent. Although 84% of respondents could not identify a reason why simulation
would not be useful, only 24% believed simulation is a useful measure of clinical
performance. Nearly three-fourths of respondents were skeptical that simulation would
improve their skills. Ninety-four percent had no experience with simulator-based assessment.
Conclusion Simulation has been shown to improve skills acquisition in microsurgery, but our
survey suggests that unfamiliarity may foster bias against the technology. Failure
to incorporate simulation may adversely affect training and may put surgeons at a
disadvantage should these technologies be adopted for recertification by regulatory
agencies.
Keywords
virtual reality simulation - microsurgery - training
