Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation

A pilot study was conducted with 5th–8th semester students comparing a 3D-printed simulator and a virtual 3D simulation. This study’s aim was the comparison of these two resources in three different settings. Assessment of the resources’ suitability as teaching devices for performing a central plast...

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Main Authors: Marie-Therese Knoll, Andrea Tipold, Michael Pees, Sandra Wissing, Johannes Hetterich
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/6/824
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author Marie-Therese Knoll
Andrea Tipold
Michael Pees
Sandra Wissing
Johannes Hetterich
author_facet Marie-Therese Knoll
Andrea Tipold
Michael Pees
Sandra Wissing
Johannes Hetterich
author_sort Marie-Therese Knoll
collection DOAJ
description A pilot study was conducted with 5th–8th semester students comparing a 3D-printed simulator and a virtual 3D simulation. This study’s aim was the comparison of these two resources in three different settings. Assessment of the resources’ suitability as teaching devices for performing a central plastrotomy in chelonians took place. One group used the simulator, while the other group used the simulation to practice this method in a preparation course. Afterwards, the practical skills of 28 students were validated in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The students evaluated their respective resources (simulator and simulation). Additionally, 10 practicing veterinarians evaluated the simulator and rated its fidelity as suitable for practicing a plastrotomy. Furthermore, the self-efficacy of the two student groups was compared with each other. An increase in subjective self-assessment of skills in both groups was identified. Students trained on the simulator achieved better results in the OSCE and self-assessment of skills than those trained with the simulation. However, the differences between the groups regarding these aspects were mostly not significant. This study indicates that a 3D-printed chelonian simulator serves as an appropriate teaching device for veterinary students and is a useful addition to established teaching methods, like using cadavers.
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spelling doaj-art-0b46304b3c3c407c864eb81ea0c03f5f2025-08-20T02:11:08ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-03-0115682410.3390/ani15060824Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D SimulationMarie-Therese Knoll0Andrea Tipold1Michael Pees2Sandra Wissing3Johannes Hetterich4Clinical Skills Lab, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, 30173 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Neurology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, 30559 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, 30559 Hannover, GermanyClinical Skills Lab, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, 30173 Hannover, GermanyDepartment of Small Mammal, Reptile and Avian Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, 30559 Hannover, GermanyA pilot study was conducted with 5th–8th semester students comparing a 3D-printed simulator and a virtual 3D simulation. This study’s aim was the comparison of these two resources in three different settings. Assessment of the resources’ suitability as teaching devices for performing a central plastrotomy in chelonians took place. One group used the simulator, while the other group used the simulation to practice this method in a preparation course. Afterwards, the practical skills of 28 students were validated in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). The students evaluated their respective resources (simulator and simulation). Additionally, 10 practicing veterinarians evaluated the simulator and rated its fidelity as suitable for practicing a plastrotomy. Furthermore, the self-efficacy of the two student groups was compared with each other. An increase in subjective self-assessment of skills in both groups was identified. Students trained on the simulator achieved better results in the OSCE and self-assessment of skills than those trained with the simulation. However, the differences between the groups regarding these aspects were mostly not significant. This study indicates that a 3D-printed chelonian simulator serves as an appropriate teaching device for veterinary students and is a useful addition to established teaching methods, like using cadavers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/6/824veterinary education3D printing3D simulationclinical skillscentral plastrotomytransplastron coeliotomy
spellingShingle Marie-Therese Knoll
Andrea Tipold
Michael Pees
Sandra Wissing
Johannes Hetterich
Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation
Animals
veterinary education
3D printing
3D simulation
clinical skills
central plastrotomy
transplastron coeliotomy
title Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation
title_full Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation
title_fullStr Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation
title_full_unstemmed Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation
title_short Come out of Your Shell—A Comparative Pilot Study for Teaching the Central Plastrotomy in Chelonians Using a 3D-Printed Simulator and a Virtual 3D Simulation
title_sort come out of your shell a comparative pilot study for teaching the central plastrotomy in chelonians using a 3d printed simulator and a virtual 3d simulation
topic veterinary education
3D printing
3D simulation
clinical skills
central plastrotomy
transplastron coeliotomy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/6/824
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