Dr. Paul Ramphal
Jamaican scientist
Ramphal Cardiac Surgery Simulator (RCSS) The RCSS was invented by Dr. Paul Ramphal and colleagues at the University of the West Indies Mona in 2001 and published in the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 2005 (Euro J Cardiothorac Surg 27(5):910-916, 2005).
The cardiac surgery simulator (CSS), a device developed at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and used to train students in doing heart surgery, has generated interest from some of the leading hospitals in the United States.
his cardiac simulator allows students to practice cardiac surgery procedures without having to practice on humans. The patent for the simulator is owned 50% by Dr. Paul Ramphal (medical doctor), Professor Daniel Coore (FST, Department of Computing) and Dr Michael Craven, who all helped implement and develop it; and 50% by UWI. The technology has been licensed to KindHeart Ltd, a start-up based in Chapel Hill North Carolina, USA. The developer team has also collaborated over the last 12 years with the University of North Carolina, to develop it to where it is now.
Background: The Cardiac Surgery Simulation Curriculum was developed at 8 institutions from 2010 to 2013. A total of 27 residents were trained by 18 faculty members. A survey was conducted to gain insight into the initial experience. Methods: Residents and faculty were sent a 72- and 68-question survey, respectively. In addition to demographic information, participants reported their view of the overall impact of the curriculum. Focused investigation into each of the 6 modules was obtained. Participants evaluated the value of the specific simulators used. Institutional biases regarding implementation of the curriculum were evaluated. Results: Twenty (74%) residents and 14 (78%) faculty responded. The majority (70%) of residents completed this training in their first and second year of traditional-track programs. The modules were well regarded with no respondents having an unfavorable view. Both residents and faculty found low, moderate, and high fidelity simulators to be extremely useful, with particular emphasis on utility of high fidelity components. The vast majority of residents (85%) and faculty (100%) felt more comfortable in the resident skill set and performance in the operating room. Simulation of rare adverse events allowed for development of multidisciplinary teams to address them. At most institutions, the conduct of this curriculum took precedence over clinical obligations (64%). Conclusions: The Cardiac Surgery Simulation Curriculum was implemented with robust adoption among the investigating centers. Both residents and faculty viewed the modules favorably. Using this curriculum, participants indicated an improvement in resident technical skills and were enthusiastic about training in adverse events and crisis management.