Use of contemporary live tele-video conferencing for continuing surgical training at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Tan HCL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7323167 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:PURPOSE:To share a useful intervention to minimize risk of COVID-19 infection to both healthcare workers and patients in the eye clinic. METHODS:We present our experience of virtual, within-clinic remote visual acuity assessment to reduce the risk of infection with COVID-19. RESULTS:Along with standard recommendations for personal protective equipment and hand hygiene to contain viral spread and treating only urgent cases, remote within-clinic visual acuity testing and consultations can be undertaken with minimal specialist equipment and appears to provide useful information whilst being acceptable to patients. CONCLUSION:Ophthalmology practice must adapt in order to combat COVID-19. This measure can easily be incorporated into daily practice to reduce both patient footfall within the department and close contact between patient and healthcare practitioners.
| S-EPMC7246960 | biostudies-literature
Project description:COVID-19 has forced many schools and universities worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, to move from traditional face-to-face learning to online learning. Most online learning activities involve the use of video conferencing apps to facilitate synchronous learning sessions. While some faculty members were not accustomed to using video conferencing apps, they had no other choice than to jump on board regardless of their readiness, one of which involved security and privacy awareness. On the other hand, video conferencing apps users face a number of security and privacy threats and vulnerabilities, many of which rely on human factors to be exploited. In this study, we used survey data from 307 faculty members at 43 Saudi Arabian universities to determine the level of awareness among Saudi Arabian faculty regarding security and privacy settings of video conferencing apps and to investigate the factors associated with it. We analyzed the data using the Knowledge-Attitudes-Behaviors (KAB) model and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method. We found that the average awareness score of video conferencing apps' security and privacy settings falls into the "Poor" category, which is not surprising considering that many faculty members only started using this new technology on a daily basis because of the pandemic. Further analysis showed that perceived security, familiarity with the app, and digital literacy of faculty members are significantly associated with higher awareness. Privacy concerns are significantly associated with higher awareness only among STEM faculty members, while attitudes toward ICT for teaching and research are negatively associated with such awareness among senior faculty members with more than 10 years of experience. This study lays the foundation for future research and user education on the security and privacy settings of video conferencing applications.
| S-EPMC9299235 | biostudies-literature
Project description:We found evidence from two experiments that a simple set of gestural techniques can improve the experience of online meetings. Video conferencing technology has practical benefits, but psychological costs. It has allowed industry, education and social interactions to continue in some form during the covid-19 lockdowns. But it has left many users feeling fatigued and socially isolated, perhaps because the limitations of video conferencing disrupt users’ ability to coordinate interactions and foster social affiliation. Video Meeting Signals (VMS™) is a simple technique that uses gestures to overcome some of these limitations. First, we carried out a randomised controlled trial with over 100 students, in which half underwent a short training session in VMS. All participants rated their subjective experience of two weekly seminars, and transcripts were objectively coded for the valence of language used. Compared to controls, students with VMS training rated their personal experience, their feelings toward their seminar group, and their perceived learning outcomes as significantly higher. Also, they were more likely to use positive language and less likely to use negative language. A second, larger experiment replicated the first, and added a condition where groups were given a version of the VMS training but taught to use emoji response buttons rather than gestures to signal the same information. The emoji-trained groups did not experience the same improvement as the VMS groups. By exploiting the specific benefits of gestural communication, VMS has great potential to overcome the psychological problems of group video meetings.
| S-EPMC9348663 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Following the unprecedented outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), educators and students have shifted from conventional face-to-face lectures to fully virtual sessions that were delivered via video conferencing software. This research investigates the facilitating conditions and the students' perceptions toward using these interactive resources to continue their learning journey. The data was gathered through a structured questionnaire among 777 students in tertiary education. The survey instrument comprised valid measures that are frequently utilized in academia, to evaluate the individuals' acceptance of interactive educational technologies. A partial least squares (PLS) approach revealed that there were very significant factors that were predicting the students' dispositions to utilize synchronous learning programs. The findings underlined the importance of providing appropriate facilitating conditions to improve perceptions and attitudes toward interactive conferencing software. These results reflect the latest developments, as COVID-19 has inevitably accelerated the digital transformation in the realms of education. This contribution implies that students adapted well to a new normal. It confirmed that they are willing to participate and engage in virtual meetings through video conferencing programs.
| S-EPMC8743284 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Collective intelligence (CI) is the ability of a group to solve a wide range of problems. Synchrony in nonverbal cues is critically important to the development of CI; however, extant findings are mostly based on studies conducted face-to-face. Given how much collaboration takes place via the internet, does nonverbal synchrony still matter and can it be achieved when collaborators are physically separated? Here, we hypothesize and test the effect of nonverbal synchrony on CI that develops through visual and audio cues in physically-separated teammates. We show that, contrary to popular belief, the presence of visual cues surprisingly has no effect on CI; furthermore, teams without visual cues are more successful in synchronizing their vocal cues and speaking turns, and when they do so, they have higher CI. Our findings show that nonverbal synchrony is important in distributed collaboration and call into question the necessity of video support.
| S-EPMC7971580 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of studies that used Video Conferencing (VC) intervention for common chronic conditions. Chronic conditions account for the majority of poor health, disability, and death, and for a major portion of health-care expenditures in the United States. Innovative methods and interventions are needed to enhance care and management, improve access to care, improve patient outcomes, narrow health disparities and reduce health-care costs. Video Conferencing could be particularly relevant in improving health, care management, access and cost in the care of chronic illnesses. A comprehensive literature search process guided by the PRISMA statement led to the inclusion of 27 articles measuring video conferencing, at least one chronic illness, and patient outcomes for adults living in a community setting. While VC has been found to be feasible and effective, a low number of randomized controlled trials limit evidence. In addition, studies in this review were not designed to address the question of whether access to care in rural areas is improved through VC. Hence, more research is needed.
| S-EPMC5669274 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundLack of training is currently the most common barrier to implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use in clinical practice, and in-person POCUS continuing medical education (CME) courses have been paramount in improving this training gap. Due to travel restrictions and physical distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, most in-person POCUS training courses were cancelled. Though tele-ultrasound technology has existed for several years, use of tele-ultrasound technology to deliver hands-on training during a POCUS CME course has not been previously described.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective observational study comparing educational outcomes, course evaluations, and learner and faculty feedback from in-person versus tele-ultrasound POCUS courses. The same POCUS educational curriculum was delivered to learners by the two course formats. Data from the most recent pre-pandemic in-person course were compared to tele-ultrasound courses during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsPre- and post-course knowledge test scores of learners from the in-person (n = 88) and tele-ultrasound course (n = 52) were compared. Though mean pre-course knowledge test scores were higher among learners of the tele-ultrasound versus in-person course (78% vs. 71%; p = 0.001), there was no significant difference in the post-course test scores between learners of the two course formats (89% vs. 87%; p = 0.069). Both learners and faculty rated the tele-ultrasound course highly (4.6-5.0 on a 5-point scale) for effectiveness of virtual lectures, tele-ultrasound hands-on scanning sessions, and course administration. Faculty generally expressed less satisfaction with their ability to engage with learners, troubleshoot image acquisition, and provide feedback during the tele-ultrasound course but felt learners completed the tele-ultrasound course with a better basic POCUS skillset.ConclusionsCompared to a traditional in-person course, tele-ultrasound POCUS CME courses appeared to be as effective for improving POCUS knowledge post-course and fulfilling learning objectives. Our findings can serve as a roadmap for educators seeking guidance on development of a tele-ultrasound POCUS training course whose demand will likely persist beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
| S-EPMC8419826 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe non-technical skills for surgeons (NOTSS) system was developed as a tool to assess surgical skills for patient safety during surgery. This study aimed to develop a NOTSS-based training system for surgical trainees to acquire non-technical skills using a chest surgery scenario in a wet lab.Materials and methodsTrainees were categorized into three subgroups according to the years of experience as follows: Level A: 6 years or more; Level B: 3-5 years; and Level C: 1-2 years. Three stages of surgical procedure were designed: 1. chest wall resection and right upper lobe lobectomy, 2. right middle lobe sleeve lobectomy, and 3. right lower lobe lobectomy. One instructor was assigned to each operation table, who evaluated each participant's NOTSS scores consisting of 16 elements.ResultsWhen comparing average NOTSS score of all the three procedures, significant differences were observed between Level A, B, and C trainees. As an example of varying elements by procedure, Level A trainees demonstrated differences in Situation Awareness, and a significant difference was observed in Level C trainees regarding the elements of Decision Making. On the contrary, no significant difference was observed among Level B trainees. In the comparison between first-time and experienced participants, a significant improvement was observed in some elements in Level B and C trainees.ConclusionThis study highlights the usefulness and feasibility of the NOTSS scoring system for surgeons with different experiences and the effectiveness of providing feedback to trainees during intraoperative handoffs in a wet lab.
| S-EPMC7505865 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWhile surgical simulation is regularly used in surgical training in high-income country settings, it is uncommon in low- and middle-income countries, particularly for surgical training that primarily occurs in rural areas. We designed and evaluated a novel surgical simulator for improving trachomatous trichiasis (TT) surgery training, given that trichiasis is mostly found among the poorest individuals in rural areas.Methodology/principal findingsTT surgery programs were invited to incorporate surgical simulation with a new, high fidelity, low-cost simulator into their training. Trainees completed standard TT-surgery training following World Health Organization guidelines. A subset of trainees received three hours of supplemental training with the simulator between classroom and live-surgery training. We recorded the time required to complete each surgery and the number of times the trainer intervened to correct surgical steps. Participants completed questionnaires regarding their perceptions. We also assessed trainer and trainee perceptions of surgical simulation training as part of trichiasis surgery training. 22 surgeons completed standard training and 26 completed standard training plus simulation. We observed 1,394 live-training surgeries. Average time to first live-training surgery completion was nearly 20% shorter the simulation versus the standard group (28.3 vs 34.4 minutes; p = 0.02). Trainers intervened significantly fewer times during initial live-training surgeries in the simulation group (2.7 vs. 4.8; p = 0.005). All trainers indicated the simulator significantly improved training by allowing trainees to practice safely and to identify problem areas before performing live-training surgeries. Trainees reported that simulation practice improved their confidence and skills prior to performing live-training surgeries.ConclusionsA single high-fidelity surgical simulation session can significantly improve critical aspects of initial TT surgeries.
| S-EPMC10112793 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe educational process of young doctors should be a topic of high interest, since it is central to preparing the new generations of healthcare providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the medical system on multiple levels, including medical education.MethodsWe conducted a descriptive survey study, designed to reflect the impact of the pandemic on the training of general surgery residents. Two questionnaires were delivered to general surgery residents at two different periods: one in the pre-COVID-19 era (December 2019) and one in the COVID-19 era (December 2020). Data were gathered on participants' characteristics, current clinical practice and knowledge, extracurricular activities, and involvement in the management of COVID-19 cases.ResultsWe registered 33 responses in the pre-COVID-19 era and 45 responses in the COVID-19 era. Most participants felt that the pandemic significantly affected their training in classic and laparoscopic surgery. The number of days per week that the residents were active in the operating room and the possibility of training in laparoscopic surgery outside the hospital decreased significantly in the COVID-19 era. Most participants consider they have not gained sufficient knowledge to practice laparoscopic surgery or to assure their employment in another hospital after finishing their residency program.ConclusionThe pandemic reduced the hands-on activities of general surgery residents, while training in laparoscopy was deficient both before and during the pandemic. New training methods should be sought and used in order to adapt the educational system to the current context.
| S-EPMC9461445 | biostudies-literature