Objective: The provision of healthcare education in developing countries is a complex problem that simulation has the potential to help. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost ear surgery simulator, the Ear Trainer.
Methods: The Ear Trainer was assessed in two low-resource environments in Cambodia and Uganda. Participants were video-recorded performing four specific middle-ear procedures, and blindly scored using a validated measurement tool. Face validity, construct validity and objective learning were assessed.
Results: The Ear Trainer provides a realistic representation of the ear. Construct validity assessment confirmed that experts performed better than novices. Participants displayed improvement in all tasks except foreign body removal, likely because of a ceiling effect.
Conclusion: This study validates the Ear Trainer as a useful training tool for otological microsurgical skills in developing world settings.
Keywords: Education; Foreign Bodies; Global Health; Medical; Middle Ear Ventilation; Teaching; Tympanic Membrane.