Table 1:
Subjective preference of the VEST OR fire simulator (5-point Likert scale)
| # | Questions |
|---|---|
| 1 | I feel I have a better understanding of electrosurgical principles after using the VEST simulator (Likert scale 1 (don’t agree) −5 (agree)) |
| 2 | I feel learning electrosurgical principles with the VEST simulator is more effective than just textbooks alone (Likert scale 1 (don’t agree) −5 (agree)) |
| 3 | Using the VEST simulator to learn electrosurgical principles is more enjoyable than just using textbooks (Likert scale 1 (don’t agree) −5 (agree)) |
| 4 | If the VEST simulator was available to me in my skills lab, I would use it (Likert scale 1 (don’t agree) −5 (agree)) |
| 5 | I would recommend the VEST simulator to others who are interested in learning electrosurgical principles and practicing techniques (Likert scale 1 (don’t agree) −5 (agree)) |
| 6 | After using the VEST simulator, I will change my practices in the OR (Likert scale 1 (don’t agree) −5 (agree)) |
| 7 | Compared to actual surgery, tissue effects in the simulator are (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |
| 8 | Compared to actual surgery, the instrument handling on the simulator is (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |
| 9 | Please rate the degree of overall realism of the VEST simulation (how it looks AND feels), compared to the corresponding surgical task (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |
| 10 | Please rate the quality of the force feedback (sensation of feeling the tools on the target and in the task space) in the VEST simulator compared to actual surgery (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |
| 11 | Please rate the degree of usefulness of the force feedback (sensation of feeling the tools on the target and in the task space) in the VEST simulator in helping your performance (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |
| 12 | Please rate the usefulness of the VEST simulator in learning hand-eye coordination skills, compared to an animal model (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |
| 13 | Please rate the degree of overall usefulness of the VEST simulator in learning electrosurgical techniques and principles compared to an animal model (Likert scale 1 (not realistic) −5 (very realistic)) |