ARISE

In the domain of surgical care, laparoscopic surgery represents a paradigm shift with substantial benefits over traditional open surgery, including reduced patient recovery times, decreased risk of infection, and less post-operative pain. However, the adoption of laparoscopic techniques in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been hindered by significant barriers such as high equipment costs, lack of training facilities, and a scarcity of trained personnel. This gap significantly affects patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency in these regions. To address these limitations, we developed the ARISE (Accelerated, Realistic, Intelligent Simulation for Surgical Education) system, a novel, cost-effective training platform designed to simulate laparoscopic surgical procedures. ARISE combines a physical box trainer with a complementary mobile application, LaparoscopiX, that offers asynchronous feedback from a global network of laparoscopic experts. This integration facilitates a robust mentorship model and allows for high-frequency, low-dose training regimes that are adaptable to the learner’s pace and environment.

A comprehensive summative usability study of the ARISE system was conducted in Kenya with 32 surgical residents from four training hospitals. Through a series of both fundamental and advanced tasks, participants interacted with the system and subsequently assessed its usability using a System Usability Scale (SUS). The results showed a promising average SUS score of 84.0, highlighting the system’s ease of use and educational potential. It offers a scalable, replicable model that leverages modern technology and global expertise to foster skill development and potentially elevate the standard of surgical care in underserved regions.