Intense Simulation-Based Surgical Education for Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery The Ophthalmic Learning and Improvement Initiative in Cataract Surgery Randomized Clinical Trial in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe
Loading...
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JAMA ophthalmology
Abstract
Cataracts account for 40% of cases of blindness globally, with surgery the only
treatment.
OBJECTIVE To determine whether adding simulation-based cataract surgical training to
conventional training results in improved acquisition of surgical skills among trainees.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A multicenter, investigator-masked, parallel-group,
randomized clinical educational-intervention trial was conducted at 5 university hospital
training institutions in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe from October 1, 2017, to
September 30, 2019, with a follow-up of 15 months. Fifty-two trainee ophthalmologists were
assessed for eligibility (required no prior cataract surgery as primary surgeon); 50 were
recruited and randomized. Those assessing outcomes of surgical competency were masked
to group assignment. Analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis.
INTERVENTIONS The intervention group received a 5-day simulation-based cataract surgical
training course, in addition to standard surgical training. The control group received standard
training only, without a placebo intervention; however, those in the control group received
the intervention training after the initial 12-month follow-up period.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome measurewas overall surgical
competency at 3 months, which was assessed with a validated competency assessment
rubric. Secondary outcomes included surgical competence at 1 year and quantity and
outcomes (including visual acuity and posterior capsule rupture) of cataract surgical
procedures performed during a 1-year period.
RESULTS Among the 50 participants (26 women [52.0%]; mean [SD] age, 32.3 [4.6] years),
25 were randomized to the intervention group, and 25 were randomized to the control group,
with 1 dropout. Forty-nine participants were included in the final intention-to-treat analysis.
Baseline characteristics were balanced. The participants in the intervention group had higher
scores at 3 months compared with the participants in the control group, after adjusting for
baseline assessment rubric score. The participants in the intervention group were estimated
to have scores 16.6 points (out of 40) higher (95%CI, 14.4-18.7; P < .001) at 3 months than
the participants in the control group. The participants in the intervention group performed a
mean of 21.5 cataract surgical procedures in the year after the training, while the participants
in the control group performed a mean of 8.5 cataract surgical procedures (mean difference,
13.0; 95%CI, 3.9-22.2; P < .001). Posterior capsule rupture rates (an important complication)
were 7.8%(42 of 537) for the intervention group and 26.6%(54 of 203) for the control group
(difference, 18.8%; 95%CI, 12.3%-25.3%; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This randomized clinical trial provides evidence that intense
simulation-based cataract surgical education facilitates the rapid acquisition of surgical
competence and maximizes patient safety.
Description
Keywords
Surgical Education, Ophthalmic Learning, Cataract Surgery, Clinical Trial
Citation
Dean, W. H., Gichuhi, S., Buchan, J. C., Makupa, W., Mukome, A., Otiti-Sengeri, J., ... & Burton, M. J. (2021). Intense simulation-based surgical education for manual small-incision cataract surgery: the ophthalmic learning and improvement initiative in cataract surgery randomized clinical trial in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. JAMA ophthalmology, 139(1), 9-15. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.4718