Dr. Davide Bardana is the recipient of the 2019 H. F. Pross Educational Technology Award. This award is given to a faculty member in the School of Medicine for his/her innovative uses of technology in teaching and learning.
Dr. Bardana has pioneered the application of novel educational technology using surgical simulators and is recognized as a leader in the implementation of these systems for developing competencies in orthopaedic residents. His activities have not only had a strong positive impact for our trainees at Queen’s, but have also significantly influenced training practices in Canada and elsewhere.
The nomination for this award is for the development of a new approach to training in arthroscopy at Queen’s. Although a common procedure, it is challenging from technical and psychomotor perspectives. It is particularly difficult because it requires ambidextrous triangulation in three dimensions, while the surgeon is guided by a two-dimensional video display. Acquiring these skills is equally challenging and the Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) Program was initiated in 2011 as a collaborative effort of AANA, AAOS, and ABOS. It is based on the principle that basic surgical skills are best developed sequentially and consists of multiple modules, each providing different knowledge and skills.
Dr. Bardana recognized the potential use of virtual reality simulators for this purpose. He and his team first developed an assessment framework for these training systems:
Chang J, Banaszek DC, Gambrel J, Bardana D. Global rating scales and motion analysis are valid proficiency metrics in virtual and benchtop knee arthroscopy simulators. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2016 Apr;474(4):956-64.
Once established, a randomized-controlled study was undertaken to establish the efficacy of high fidelity simulators compared to lower fidelity trainers:
Banaszek D, You D, Chang J, Pickell M, Hesse D, Hopman WM, Borschneck D, Bardana D. Virtual Reality Compared with Bench-Top Simulation in the Acquisition of Arthroscopic Skill: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2017:99(7):e34.
Having grounded the approach in literature, the team selected a new training system. Queen’s became one of the first programs to adopt the ARTHRO Mentor™, which combines physical anatomical models (shoulder, knee and hip), 3D images and haptic sensation. Simulated procedures are performed utilizing a set of tools similar to those used in the OR including the arthroscopic camera. This has now been implemented in the orthopaedic residency training program and includes a fully integrated e-learning platform. The latter consists of training curricula based on a case library and statistic data for training assessment for knee and shoulder procedures. As a result of the project, the advantages of physical training and e-learning have been combined in a strategy that is based on educational research by the nominee. It builds on previous success in education and training which has been recognized by the Michael A. Simurda Excellence in Orthopaedic Education Award (2012) and the Queen’s University School of Medicine Award for Best MSK Teacher (2005). In 2012, he also was nominated for the PAIRO Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award. In addition, Dr. Bardana is highly active in interdisciplinary research in the Human Mobility Research Centre and as a collaborator in the CONNECT! NSERC CREATE Program in Soft Connective Tissue Regeneration/Therapy at Queen’s, Western, and the University of Toronto.
The Department wishes to recognize Dr. Bardana not only for his enthusiastic commitment to education and training but equally for his dedication to surgical excellence. This is exemplified by his rigorous approach to the integration of surgical simulation into the curriculum and the need to examine training in terms of both surgeon performance and patient outcomes. He is truly an innovator in the implementation of education technology and is highly deserving of this award.