Total Hip Replacement Performance & Assessment

A Prospective Randomised Controlled Study Assessing the Impact of Simulation Training in Primary Total Hip Replacement (THR).

This research study is focused upon assessing and optimising surgeon's performance during, and patient outcomes following, primary total hip replacement (THR) surgery. The primary research question is to determine if additional simulation training can improve the intra-operative performance of surgical trainees (Residents) during a THR, or the outcome of patients after their THR. The investigators will aim to define an 'expert' standard in performing a primary elective THR, which may be used as a benchmark when assessing surgical trainee performance; and also determine if operative surgeon performance metrics during a THR are correlated with surgical experience, or patient outcomes.

The surgeon participants in this study will be divided into 2 groups depending upon their position and seniority. The 'Expert' group will be composed of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons and Senior Fellows, and the 'Trainee' group will be composed of Trauma & Orthopaedic Specialty Registrars (Residents) on clinical placements in Adult Arthroplasty. The intervention to be tested is the simulation-based training and cognitive learning package. This will be delivered for 1-2 hours per week over a 4-week period in a supervised non-clinical setting to a randomised sub-group of 50% of the Surgical Trainees enrolled into this study. Surgeon participants within the Expert/Fellow comparator group will not undergo any interventions. The outcome measures will be surgeon-specific and patient-specific. These outcome measures for the 'Trainee' group will commence following completion of the simulation training (if applicable), whereas they can commence immediately following study approval for the 'Expert' group. The surgeon-specific outcome measures will be the objective motion-analysis metrics generated by validated and extensively used wireless sensors placed on the elbows of surgeons under their sterile gowns during the operation; and subjective assessments of surgical trainee performance using validated and reliable forms of structured human grading. Patient-specific outcome measures will be collected for a pre-determined number of patients who have undergone a primary elective THR by any of the surgeon participants in this study. All patient participants will be asked to provide their written informed consent for the use of their data in this study. The patient-specific outcome measures include: pre- and post-operative blood tests and radiograph (X-ray) analysis; the incidence of blood transfusions and any other peri-operative complications; the in-patient length of stay; and two patient-reported outcome measure (PROMs) questionnaires, namely the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) and EQ-5D. Statistical analysis will be performed on the data collected, specifically aiming to identify any significant differences in either surgeon performance metrics, or patient outcome measures between: The Surgical Trainees who have undertaken additional simulation training versus those who have routine training. The 'Trainee' group and the 'Expert' group. A sub-group analysis may be performed within the 'Expert' group also to determine any differences between the Consultants and Fellows. In summary, this novel research will use validated methodology and routinely collected patient outcome measures in order to determine the impact of simulation training on surgical trainee performance and patient outcomes following a primary elective THR, and also help to benchmark an expert level of performance in this commonly performed and highly effective operation. The results of this study will hopefully help in shaping the future of orthopaedic surgical training and assessment.

The intervention to be tested is the simulation-based training and cognitive learning package. This will be delivered for 1-2 hours per week over a 4-week period in a supervised non-clinical setting to a randomised sub-group of 50% of the Surgical Residents enrolled into this study.

Consultant assessors will be blinded to the grouping of the Surgical Residents (additional simulation training group, or control group).

Surgeon participant Group 1a: Interventional group ('StR's'): Trauma & Orthopaedic Specialty Registrars (Surgical Residents) on Arthroplasty clinical placements (n=6-8) receiving additional simulation training.

Surgeon participant Group 1b: control group (StR's): Trauma & Orthopaedic Specialty Registrars (Surgical Residents) on Arthroplasty clinical placements (n=6-8) receiving routine and normal training.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons (n=5), and nationally appointed Arthroplasty Fellows (n=8). Surgeon participants within this group will not undergo any interventions.

The simulation-based and cognitive learning package will be delivered to a randomised sub-group of 50% of the Surgical Residents recruited into this study. This will be delivered in a supervised non-clinical setting within a dedicated University-owned simulation laboratory over a 4-week period for between 1 to 2 hours per week, over 3 to 4 consecutive but separate six-month placements.

A subjective human grading assessment of surgical performance rated on a scale of 7-35 with a higher score indicating a better surgical performance.

A subjective human grading assessment of surgical performance. Rated on a 5 point scale, with a higher score indicating a more competently performed procedure.

Post-operative X-ray analysis for component positioning, orientation, and quality of cementing for each patient recruited into this study.

The number of units of packed red blood cells transfused for each patient participant (if applicable).

A joint-specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to be assessed pre- and post-operatively. This is a 12 item questionnaire scored on a scale of 0-48, with a higher score representing better joint function.

A general patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to be assessed pre- and post-operatively. The EQ-5D is comprised of 5 short questions each rated on a scale of 1-5 (25 points in total), with a higher score indicating a higher quality of life, and a visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) from 0-100, with a higher score indicating better health.

Inclusion Criteria: Adult patients diagnosed with primary hip osteoarthritis who have been listed for elective primary Total Hip Replacement within the United Kingdoms National Health Service. Total Hip Replacement performed by a surgeon participant as lead surgeon. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with complex hip pathology (e.g. previous trauma, hip dysplasia, infection). Patients who have had previous surgery on their affected hip.