Tunnel Construction Course Pilot Assessment of Simulation-based Training Effectiveness

TCC-PASTE is a randomised controlled trial comparing a simulation based training curriculum with standard training for ophthalmology residents learning to perform tunnel construction in manual small incision cataract surgery. After obtaining informed consent, participating trainees will be randomly assigned to learn to perform tunnel construction either through the simulation based curriculum or through the standard curriculum at their institute. Trainees assigned to simulation will learn through studying an eBook, participating in training sessions supported by repeated practice on a virtual reality simulator, and supervised training in live surgery to facilitate transfer of skill acquired in simulation to the operating room. To determine the effect of simulation based training, we will assess the number of errors trainees perform in the initial part of their intraoperative learning curve.