The Endoscopy AccuTouch® Surgical Simulation System with lower GI modules was introduced in 1999, and since that time, hundreds of customers have integrated the system into their training programs. They report that the system’s force feedback action (haptics) makes the procedures feel real, and that its realistic learning environment helps reduce the time needed for residents to gain proficiency. The system allows independent learning in nonthreatening situations, and promotes patient safety through developing the skills needed to perform colonoscopies faster. Some of our customers’ experiences are documented here:

Case Studies

Philadelphia Gastroenterology Training Group
Rush University Medical Center
Ft. Wayne Medical Education Program
University of Aberdeen
Temple University Health Sciences Center,
Institute for Clinical Simulation and Patient Safety

Testimonials

St. Mary's Hospital, London, England
Stanford University School of Medicine
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Philadelphia Gastroenterology Training Group

Dr. James C. Reynolds of Drexel University College of Medicine and president of the Philadelphia Gastroenterology Training Group, reports that the Group purchased its AccuTouch system because after using the same training approach for over forty years — having fellows learn on patients — they felt their discipline needed to develop a better
way to teach. Now, he reports, instead of walking in as novices to perform real cases, the fellows walk in with a fairly high level of experience.

"You can easily tear the lining of the colon or make a hole, and one of the potentially negative aspects of simulation would be if you learned to be rough. That isn't a problem with Immersion Medical's simulators. Haptics makes the experience very realistic."

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Rush University Medical Center

Dr. Michael D. Brown, gastroenterology program director at Rush University Medical Center, says that the AccuTouch system's feel is "dead on." He says that the system has improved gastroenterology training, decreased training times, lowered patient risk, and helped attract residents. Brown performed a five-year study comparing groups who used the Endoscopy AccuTouch System with those that didn't:

"The simulator did reduce the learning curve. We reduced flexible sigmoidoscopy to about 15 cases for achieved competence rather than 30, so we cut the number of cases that was necessary to achieve what we thought was clinical competence in half."

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Ft. Wayne Medical Education Program

Dr. Douglas Boss, associate director, says that, not only does the endoscopy simulator develop skills in a safe learning environment, it increases residents' confidence and competence, and tracks training progress, which helps determine additional needs a resident may have.

"With the simulator, the feel is virtually identical to doing it on a live patient. I don't know how they do it, but it's that close. And you can certainly see everything that you're supposed to be aiming at. You can see the anatomy and pathology."

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University of Aberdeen

The Aberdeen University Clinical Skills Centre's endoscopy simulator provides users with transferable skills, encourages independent learning, and supplies training for both novice and experienced physicians. As Manager Jerry Morse reports,

"I found that, compared to the work in the real operating theatres, the simulated procedure seemed quite real. It was amazing."

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Temple University Health Sciences Center
Institute for Clinical Simulation and Patient Safety

AccuTouch colonoscopy simulation training is now part of the curriculum for Temple University School of Medicine first-year surgical residents. One of the advantages to the school is objective, computer-based evaluation because surgical skills are often difficult for professors to assess.

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St. Mary's Hospital

Doctors at the Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's Hospital, London, England, are currently working with both theFlexible Bronchoscopy and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy modules. This department, which has an international reputation for its work in medical/surgical skills assessment, was recently honored by the award of a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Excellence in Higher and Further Education.

"We believe the benefits of this kind of high-fidelity simulation are enormous. Before such systems became available, students had to learn endoscopic procedures by performing them on real patients under the direction of an experienced clinician; this was less than ideal for the trainee, instructor or patient. Simulation, however, improves the teaching process. A trainee at the beginning of the learning curve can practice skills without the distracting worry of causing discomfort to a patient; the less distracted trainees are, the more they learn. Moreover, instructors can direct trainees to repeat any part of a procedure as many times as necessary, which would be impossible to do while working with a patient. The improved learning environment and ability to repeatedly practice skills benefit patients, who are less likely to be exposed to discomfort during an actual procedure. In addition, the simulators provide far more objective feedback than is possible with traditional teaching methods. We hope to see them incorporated directly into the accreditation and re-accreditation process."

Dr. Sean Mackay, FRACS
Surgeon, Imperial College School of Medicine
St. Mary's Hospital
London, England

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Stanford University School of Medicine

The Stanford University Medical Center currently trains students using the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy module.

"The simulation enables us to teach students concepts which are very difficult to get across in a lecture. When trainees use the system, they put their abstract knowledge to use in a realistic and interactive environment. More importantly, they get to make their mistakes on a computer model, not a patient. Their strengths and weaknesses can be assessed objectively before they perform an actual procedure, and their training needs can better be identified. With this system, we can teach without risk, and we will be able to objectively measure clinician competence."

Jacques Van Dam, MD, Ph.D.
Professor of Medicine
Stanford University School of Medicine
Clinical Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Stanford University Medical Center

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University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

The GI Division at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is planning to employ the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy modules in residency training.

"We see several important benefits coming from this system. First, a trainee who practices regularly on the simulator becomes familiar with the mechanics of the actual medical procedure before having to perform it in a clinical setting. This reduces stress during instruction, making it easier to concentrate on learning necessary skills. Clinician confidence improves, and patients benefit from the improvement. Second, supervising physicians can minimize patient risk during training. Instructors can correct and advise trainees in greater detail during a simulated procedure than a real one. Demonstrations of difficult techniques that would cause a patient great discomfort can be performed freely on the simulator.

”Finally, this kind of simulation can be incorporated into a standardized approach to the teaching and measurement of physician skills."

Pankaj J. Pasricha, MD
Chief, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

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