The Systems Approach to Training: How to make it work for you
Many simulation programs begin by procuring simulation devices, but the best way to start is by applying the Systems Approach to Training. Aviation employs this process to construct world-class curriculum that results in high-reliability human performance. This process begins with analysis of the tasks that must be trained; the analysis tells you what devices and courseware you will need. The process produces detailed curriculum: media analysis, training device specifications, lesson plans, scenario scripts, instructor & student guides, evaluator guides, and simulator operator guides.
We applied this process to ophthalmology training and conducted a field experiment to evaluate human performance gains. The experiment included case and control groups as well as a commercial virtual-reality simulation for ophthalmic surgery, the EyeSi®. The experiment produced performance metrics that demonstrate value added at the 95% confidence level. We also surveyed the participants' assessment of the courseware built on task analysis and compared that to assessments of courseware typical of current ophthalmology training programs.
