Introduction: Placing an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor is a common neurosurgical procedure yet no simulators covering this technique have been created. We aimed to design a virtual, mobile-based ICP monitor simulator that was accessible on a personal handheld device.
Methods: We devised a protocol for ICP monitor insertion and created a 3D, animated version of the procedure. Electronic files were subsequently coded into iOS and Android platforms and a mobile application (app) was developed for the Apple App and Google Play Stores. Our ICP monitor simulator interacted with users through tactile feedback and in two different modes: learn and test. The learn mode taught users 22 procedural steps and the test mode assessed users knowledge via 18 multiple-choice questions (Figure 1). User data were prospectively collected from June 15, 2015 to November 30, 2015.
Results: We developed a mobile-based ICP monitor simulator that could be downloaded and used for free. Over a 5.5-month period, 4,140 users from 6 continents downloaded the module: 60% North America, 21% Europe, 10% South America, 5% Asia, 2% Africa, and 2% Australia. Users consisted of 49% medical professionals (10% attending physicians, 8% resident physicians, 26% medical students, and 5% other) and 51% non-medical professionals. Users completed 219 hours of total simulation time: 106 hours in learn mode & 113 hours in test mode.
Conclusions: We created a novel, mobile-based ICP monitor simulator. This simulator was used frequently because it was straightforward to download, accessible on mobile devices, and cost-free. These characteristics make this type of simulator pertinent to global neurosurgical training and ideal for implementation into a formal neurosurgical simulation curriculum.
Patient Care: For this study, we created a novel, mobile-based intracranial pressure monitor simulator. This technology will improve patient care by allowing residents to practice placement of an intracranial pressure monitor in a safe, controlled environment.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, participants should be able to describe the procedural steps, indications for placement, and risks associated with intracranial pressure monitor insertion.