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.
