Dataset Information

Maintaining technical proficiency in senior surgical fellows during the COVID-19 pandemic through virtual teaching.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in a severe reduction in operative opportunities for trainees. We hypothesized that augmenting independent practice with a bench model of vascular anastomoses using regular videoconferences and individual feedback would provide meaningful benefit in maintenance of technical skills in senior lung transplant surgical fellows.

Methods

A lung transplantation virtual technical skills course was developed. Surgical fellows were provided with a bench model and surgical instruments. Using a virtual communication platform, teaching sessions were held twice weekly, and fellows performed an anastomosis on camera. Video recordings were reviewed and critiqued by attending staff. At the end of the 3-month course, participants were surveyed about their experience. Warm ischaemic time was compared between fellows' five most recent cases before and after the pandemic.

Results

Seven senior surgical fellows participated and provided feedback. Fellows had graduated medical school an average of 14 years prior to fellowship, and spent an average of 5 hours (range 1.3 - 15 hours) of home practice. Five of seven (71%) participants reported improvement in their technical skills and increased confidence in performing a lung transplant. No significant difference in warm ischaemic time in procedures performed by fellows was identified (70.3 minutes pre-pandemic vs. 68.3 minutes post pandemic, p = 0.68).

Conclusions

A program of virtual technical skills teaching, individual video coaching, and independent practice provided benefit in maintaining technical skills in lung transplant surgical fellows during the COVID-19 pandemic, when equivalent operative experience was unavailable. Lessons learned from this exceptional time can be used to create simulation curricula for senior trainees.

SUBMITTER: Chan JCY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8294067 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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