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Increasing efficiency of surgical training: effects of spacing practice on skill acquisition and retention in laparoscopy training

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Abstract

Objectives

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of spaced versus massed practice on skill acquisition and retention in the context of laparoscopic motor skill training.

Background

Reaching proficiency in performing laparoscopic surgery involves extensive training to acquire the required motor skills. Conventionally, training of such skills occurs during a full day training event utilizing surgical simulators that train specific motor skills pertinent to laparoscopic surgery. An important variable to consider is the optimal schedule for laparoscopic motor training.

Methods

In this study, two groups of trainees without prior experience were trained on a variety of physical box-trainer tasks on different time-schedules. One group received three 75-min training sessions on a single day (massed condition) and the other received one 75-min training session per week for three consecutive weeks (spaced condition). Short- and long-term retention were assessed 2 weeks and 1 year after the completion of training.

Results

Outcome measures indicated better performance at the end of training, at a 2-week delayed retention session and at a 1-year retention session for the group that received training on a spaced schedule. This spacing effect was most pronounced for the more difficult laparoscopic training tasks such as intra-corporeal suturing. On average, 21 % of participants in the massed group and 65 % in the spaced group reached proficiency by the end of training.

Conclusions

Spacing practice of laparoscopic motor skill training will facilitate skill acquisition, short-term and long-term retention, and thus, a more efficient learning process for trainees. Though more challenging in terms of logistics, training courses in medical centers should distribute practice sessions over longer time intervals.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge Gertjan Hultzer, Rene Rodenburg, and Tom Hulscher for their assistance in the LUMC skillslab. This work was funded by Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC).

Disclosure

Edward N. Spruit MSc., Dr. Guido P. H. Band, & Prof. Jaap F. Hamming have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cognitive Psychology Unit, Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, Postbus 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Edward N. Spruit & Guido P. H. Band

  2. Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Edward N. Spruit & Guido P. H. Band

  3. Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC), Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Postbus 9600, Postzone C2-S, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Edward N. Spruit & Guido P. H. Band

  4. Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Edward N. Spruit & Jaap F. Hamming

  5. Postzone K6-R, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands

    Edward N. Spruit & Jaap F. Hamming

Authors
  1. Edward N. Spruit
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  2. Guido P. H. Band
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  3. Jaap F. Hamming
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Correspondence to Edward N. Spruit.

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Spruit, E.N., Band, G.P.H. & Hamming, J.F. Increasing efficiency of surgical training: effects of spacing practice on skill acquisition and retention in laparoscopy training. Surg Endosc 29, 2235–2243 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3931-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3931-x

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