[Virtual skills-training in urology : Teaching at the Technical University of Munich during the COVID-19-pandemic]. / Virtueller Praktikumstag Urologie : Studentenunterricht an der Technischen Universität München in Zeiten der COVID-19-Pandemie.

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic presents the challenge for medical education to teach practical skills without practical training. To provide an alternative to hands-on training during the COVID-19 lockdown, we created a virtual curriculum to teach practical skills using videos combined with online exams on a virtual e­learning platform. The goal was to convey different theoretical and practical aspects of urology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The videos were produced by department employees using a predefined concept. The students had access to the virtual curriculum via the university's Moodle e­learning platform. To assess the success of training, participating students had to pass an online exam about the curriculum's contents, followed by an evaluation of the course. RESULTS: A total of 164 participants took part in the virtual curriculum. The overall evaluation and feedback was very positive. The acceptance of the virtual alternative to hands-on teaching was high. DISCUSSION: The virtual curriculum offered a fast and contactless alternative to the regular hands-on teaching.

Efecto de la simulación háptica en la autoeficacia académica de odontólogos en formación / Effect of Haptic Simulation on the Academic Self-efficacy of Dentist in Training

La simulación es un recurso ampliamente utilizado en los procesos formativos en odontología, especialmente para adquirir destrezas motrices y potencialmente en el desarrollo de la autoeficacia. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la simulación háptica en la autoeficacia académica de odontólogos en formación. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio se centró en estudiantes de un curso de anticipación disciplinar (n=134). Se aplicó la escala de autoeficacia general después de dos actividades de tallado con apresto tradicional, mediadas por una sesión de tallado con simulación háptica. Resultados: Al determinar el rol de las dimensiones de autoeficacia en dos actividades de simulación tradicional (ABT1 y ABT2), mediadas por la háptica se obtuvo un promedio de ABT1: x̄=3,27 (n=123) y de ABT2: x̄=3,20 (n=105). De los diez ítems de la escala, hubo diferencia estadística respecto a la disminución del grado de autoeficacia en el Nº1 (p=0,05) y Nº6 (p=0,01). Conclusiones: Se puede establecer que, al utilizar un simulador háptico de manera complementaria a las de apresto tradicional, la intervención influye en la autoeficacia, puesto que se adquiere mayor conciencia de las complejidades asociadas, debiendo desafiar su propia autorregulación para hacerles frente.

Simulation is a widely used resource in dental training processes, especially to acquire motor skills and potentially in the development of self-efficacy. Objective: To evaluate the effect of haptic simulation in the academic self-efficacy of dentists in training. Materials and methods: This study focused on students of a curricular anticipatory course (n=134). The general self-efficacy scale was applied after two carving activities with a traditional approach, complemented by a carving session with haptic simulation. Results: When determining the role of the self-efficacy dimensions in two traditional simulation activities (ABT1 and ABT2) complemented by haptics, we obtained an average of ABT1: x̄=3,27 (n=123) and ABT2: x̄=3,20 (n=105). Of the ten items of the scale, there was a statistical difference regarding the decrease in the degree of self-efficacy in Nº1 (p=0,05) and Nº6 (p=0,01). Conclusions: It can be established that complementing traditional training with a haptic simulator influences self-efficacy, since the students become more aware of the associated complexities, and need to challenge their own self-regulation to deal with them.