NCT06612619

Is Two-on-one Instruction in Virtual Reality Simulation-based Training of Operating Fractures of the Hip for Medical Students as Effective as One-on-one Instruction

Recruiting now NA Last updated 11 February 2026

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Dyad instruction in Learning Curves and Outcomes of Simulation-based Training in 62 participants. Currently enrolling.

Timeline

9 October 2024

Primary endpoint
15 October 2026

15 February 2027

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation
Phase	NA
Status	Recruiting now
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	randomized
Design	parallel
Masking	single
Primary purpose	basic science
Enrollment	62
Start date	9 October 2024
Primary completion	15 October 2026
Estimated completion	15 February 2027
Sites	1 location across Denmark

Drugs / interventions tested

• Dyad instruction

Conditions studied

• Learning Curves and Outcomes of Simulation-based Training — all drugs for Learning Curves and Outcomes of Simulation-based Training →

Sponsor

Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation

Who can join

Eligibility, any sex, with Learning Curves and Outcomes of Simulation-based Training. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

The training of orthopedic surgeons has historically relied heavily on an apprenticeship model as the primary way of teaching the various procedures an aspiring surgeon needs to master. However, due to work-hour restrictions, demand for operating room efficiency, lack of supervisors and a growing focus and concern for patient safety, this model is challenged. As the importance of proper education and supervision of surgeons in training is still monumental, simulation-based training (SBT) has gained popularity within most medical specialties, as it provides a safe, and realistic room for training, where surgeons can effectively enhance their operating technique without posing a threat to patient safety. Techniques within orthopedic surgery are no exception to this tendency, and several virtual reality simulators and SBT courses has been developed. This includes the well-established SBT course in proximal femoral fracture (PFF) osteosynthesis, where evidence supported mastery standards for antegrade nailing, dynamic hip screw, Hansson pins and canulated screws have been established. A course that is recommended in the national curriculum for Danish orthopedic surgeons in training.

This change into a more technology- and simulation-based training does however pose challenges, that needs to be acknowledged and addressed to ensure the quality of the education and clinical skills of the orthopedic surgeons.

A key challenge is the limited resource of qualified instructors. These instructors are mainly experienced surgeons with a demanding and busy schedule, who teach part time in addition to their clinical work. It has previously been shown that teaching skills are to be taught by doctors and that good clinicians are not automatically good educators. With the burden of a busy clinical schedule, these experienced surgeons have difficulties finding the time to learn teaching skills.

It can therefore be challenging to educate enough qualified instructors. This poses a rising concern as the field of SBT is only expected to grow, with more courses in continuous development. Thus, potentially limiting the accessibility to orthopedic SBT courses, including the PFF course.

A possible solution for this challenge is dyad introductions. By converting one-on-one introduction to SBT for trainees into one-on-two introduction, it is possible to double the number of participants getting introductions without increasing the teaching load or expenses. This could significantly reduce the needed faculty time per trainee. Several studies have shown beneficial learning outcomes of dyad training. However, it seems, that the positive effects of dyad training cannot be translated into all types of medical simulations, and some studies suggests that the complexity and nature of the simulation defines whether dyad training is beneficial . It is theorized, that the effect of dyad training is caused by the learning of motor skills through mirror neurons during observation, and the distribution of knowledge during complex simulations according to the cognitive load theory. This suggests, that dyad training may be most beneficial in complex simulations requiring high levels of motor skills such as complex surgical procedures.

To our knowledge, no studies exist that examines whether dyad introduction can be equally used in the simulations of orthopedic procedures in general or PFF surgery specifically.

The aim of this study was to examine whether dyad introduction is non-inferior to the current one-on- one student introduction.

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial.