Background
We examined the effectiveness of traditional technical training (TT) and quiet eye
training (QET) on the performance of 1-handed square knot tying among first-year surgery
residents under normal and high-anxiety conditions.
Methods
Twenty surgery residents were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups and completed pretest,
training, and simple and complex retention tests under conditions of high and low
anxiety. The TT group received traditional instruction on improving hand movements;
the QET group received feedback on their gaze behaviors. Participants wore an eye
tracker that recorded simultaneously their gaze and hand movements. Dependent variables
were knot tying performance (%), quiet eye duration (%), number of fixations, and
total movement time (s).
Results
Both groups improved their knot tying performance (P < .05) from pretest to the low anxiety conditions (mean difference: QET, 28%; TT,
17%); however, only the QET group maintained their knot tying performance under the
high-anxiety conditions (mean difference: QET, 18%; P < .05), with the TT group decreasing their performance close to pretest levels (P > .05). The QET group also demonstrated more efficient gaze and hand movements post
training.
Conclusion
These data demonstrate the effectiveness of training gaze behaviors, not only to improve
the effectiveness and efficiency of performance, but also to mediate negative effects
of anxiety on performance. These findings may have important implications for medical
educators and practitioners, as well as surgeons who may be (re)training or learning
new procedures.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 21, 2014
Accepted:
May 12,
2014
Footnotes
Funding was provided by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Canada, and the University of Calgary Program for Undergraduate Research Experience.
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
