Does setting specific goals and providing feedback during training result in better acquisition of laparoscopic skills?
Gonzalez R; Bowers SP; Smith CD; Ramshaw BJ Emory Skills, Training And Robotics Center, Emory Endosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether setting specific goals and providing feedback stimulates trainees to improve their laparoscopic skills. Two groups of eight fourth-year medical students practiced on a MIST-VR trainer, a black box laparoscopic suturing trainer, and computer-based training modules for 30 minutes, twice a week for 3 weeks. A precourse assessment of laparoscopic and open suturing skills and performance of MIST-VR tasks was obtained. Students in group A were given specific goals to achieve and were provided feedback. Group B was given no specific goals or feedback. At the end of the course, seven different tasks and skills were evaluated and subjectively scored during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an animal laboratory. A higher number of students in group A co
