The Effectiveness of Virtual-Real Fusion Teaching Models in Clinical Skills Training: A Randomized -Controlled Trial Comparing Touch Surgery and Traditional Teaching Aids for Thoracentesis

Abstract Traditional clinical skills training exhibits inherent limitations. This study systematically examines the comparative efficacy of Touch Surgery-based virtual-real integrated training versus conventional teaching aids in thoracentesis procedural skill acquisition.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study enrolled 30 resident physicians undergoing standardized residency training at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China between December 2023 and October 2024. The cohort comprised an interventional group (n = 15) utilizing Touch Surgery and a control group (n = 15) employing conventional teaching aids (with 3 participants lost to voluntary withdrawal). A multi-modal evaluation framework was implemented, incorporating: 1) theoretical examination, 2) procedural guideline compliance evaluation, 3) thoracentesis technical skill assessment, and 4) multi-dimensional pedagogical appraisal.ResultsNo significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics (gender, age) between the two groups. Prior to training, the experimental group showed no statistically significant differences compared to the control group in theoretical knowledge scores, surgical procedural skills, guideline compliance scores, or thoracentesis skill assessments. However, post-intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in theoretical knowledge mastery, surgical operational proficiency, guideline adherence, and thoracentesis technical performance relative to the control group.ConclusionThe virtual-real integrated teaching model has been demonstrated to significantly enhance resident physicians' theoretical knowledge, clinical procedural skills, and teaching efficacy. The innovative multi-dimensional evaluation system establishes a novel paradigm for assessing clinical skill training quality, while the Mixed Reality-driven cognitive-skill transformation pathway offers groundbreaking insights for medical education innovation.