Use of the Bonedoc DHS simulator by fifth year medical students

A pilot study

Abstract

To date virtual reality simulations of operative procedures have been extensively tested and utilised by advanced surgical trainees. The increasing number of medical students has meant that the amount of exposure to surgical procedures is reducing, and direct involvement of the medical student within those procedures is decreasing. The Bonedoc DHS Simulator for fixing hip fractures was trialled within the orthopaedic attachment. An online questionnaire was completed by 31 fifth year medical students, the control group of 17 students had no exposure to the simulator, and 14 students had access to the simulator. Despite similar operative exposure, the intervention group scored significantly higher on understanding key aspects of hip fracture. The simulator did not in itself stimulate interest in orthopaedics (3 of 14 students). Unfortunately tight security on hospital computers restricted students’ use of the simulator. Twenty-four hour access to the simulator was deemed important (9 students agreed, 0 disagreed, 5 unanswered).