Using an interactive module to enhance and understand 3D cavity navigation: A patient's view

We examined the views of patients and health specialists about the value of simulations of endoscopic procedures. The simulators used were the Interactive Module for Cavity Navigation (IMCA) and the Web Environment for Surgical Skills Training in Otolaryngology (WESST-OT). Fourteen patients were given an explanation about the simulations and then completed a questionnaire. The majority of patients (86%) stated that they would feel confident after an explanation with the simulation environment and most of them (93%) said that they would like to have post-procedural information available via the Web. The majority of the specialists stated that they would use the simulation environment for patient education and most of them said that they would publish post-procedural information on the Web. The present study provides preliminary evidence that the IMCA and the WESST-OT simulation environments can be used to enhance the experience of patients both pre- and post- procedure.