Browsing by Author "Howley, Lisa D."

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    Effectiveness of a comprehensive mental skills curriculum in enhancing surgical performance: Results of a randomized controlled trial
    (Elsevier, 2017-02) Stefanidis, Dimitrios; Anton, Nicholas E.; Howley, Lisa D.; Bean, Eric; Yurco, Ashley; Pimentel, Manuel E.; Davis, Cameron K.; Surgery, School of Medicine
    INTRODUCTION: We hypothesized that the implementation of a novel mental skills curriculum (MSC) during laparoscopic simulator training would improve mental skills and performance, and decrease stress. METHODS: Sixty volunteer novices were randomized into intervention and control groups. All participants received FLS training while the intervention group also participated in the MSC. Skill transfer and retention were assessed on a live porcine model after training and 2 months later, respectively. Performance was assessed using the Test of Performance Strategies-2 (TOPS-2) for mental skills, FLS metrics for laparoscopic performance, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6) and heart rate (HR) for stress. RESULTS: Fifty-five participants (92%) completed training and the transfer test, and 46 (77%) the retention test. There were no significant differences between groups at baseline. Compared to controls the intervention group significantly improved their mental skill use, demonstrated higher laparoscopic skill improvement during retention, and reported less stress during the transfer test. CONCLUSIONS: The MSC implemented in this study effectively enhanced participants' mental skill use, reduced cognitive stress in the operating room with a small impact on laparoscopic performance.
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    Implementation Results of a Novel Comprehensive Mental Skills Curriculum during Simulator Training
    (Elsevier, 2017-02) Stefanidis, Dimitrios; Anton, Nicholas; McRary, Graham; Howley, Lisa D.; Pimentel, Manuel; Davis, Cameron; Yurco, Ashley M.; Sevdalis, Nick; Brown, Charles; Department of Surgery, IU School of Medicine
    Background Mental skills training refers to the implementation of cognitive performance-enhancing strategies to promote optimal performance. We aimed to develop a surgery-specific mental skills curriculum (MSC) and obtain initial evidence of efficacy. Methods The developed MSC consisted of 8 proven performance-enhancing modules. Its efficacy was assessed during laparoscopic simulator-based practice by novices using validated instruments of mental skills, workload, and stress, in addition to a skill transfer test to a porcine model. A paired t test was used to analyze the data. Results Nine surgical novices completed the curriculum. Compared with baseline assessment, participants improved significantly their laparoscopic performance and mental skills after completion of the MSC. All participants completed the task in the porcine model without an appreciable change in their perceived stress. During the skill transfer test, 8 participants were observed using mental skills taught in the MSC. Conclusions A surgery-specific simulator-based MSC was developed, and its efficacy in improving mental skills and surgical performance was supported during a surgical skill transfer test.