Abstract
PURPOSE: Assessing construct, face and content validity of the camera handling trainer (CHT), a novel low-fidelity training device for 30 degrees laparoscope navigation skills. METHODS: We developed a custom-designed box trainer with clinically based graphic targets. A total of 117 participants, stratified according to their previous experience (novice, competent, expert), took part to a CHT session and subsequently were asked to fill out a survey to assess the impact of the CHT on their 30 degrees laparoscope navigation skills. Sixty of them were also studied for task performance during a 1-h session, with multiple time measurements. RESULTS: All participants, regardless of the previous experience, significantly improved their performance after the CHT session. Regarding construct validity, the mean task performance on the last measurement for novice group was found to be comparable to the mean first attempt of both competent (p = 0.12) and expert (p = 0.24) participants. All participants agreed that "the CHT is a valid training tool" and that "the CHT should be part of the regular dry laboratory training sessions", assessing both face and content validity. Limitations include the need for assessment of predictive validity. CONCLUSIONS: The CHT is a valid training tool for 30 degrees laparoscope navigation and thus should be considered as one of the fundamental exercises during basic laparoscopic hands-on training sessions for urologists.
