Current perspectives on video and audio recording inside the surgical operating room: results of a cross-disciplinary survey

Abstract

The availability of intraoperative multimedia recording is increasing. Considering the growing call for physicians’ accountability, it is inevitable that multimedia will play an important role in aiding quality control by improving the adequacy of operative reporting. However, the perspectives of medical professionals on this matter are poorly known. In this cross-disciplinary survey, we aimed to investigate the current viewpoints concerning the use of multimedia recording in the operating room. We conducted an electronic survey among all affiliated members of the Association of Surgeons of the Netherlands, the Dutch Urological Association and the Dutch Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology containing questions regarding current use of intraoperative recording and the level of likelihood or objection for certain scenarios. The response rate was 27.8%. The survey encompasses 370 (54.5%) surgeons, 71 (10.5%) urologists, 80 (11.8%) gynecologists, and 158 (23.3%) residents in training. 52.4% of respondents feel that the currently used operative report is insufficient for future quality requirements. 58.5% think it is unlikely they would behave differently during surgery when intra-operative video recording is applied. 82.8% think it is unlikely that their surgical methods would be altered. 63.8% of respondents preferred only video registration when intraoperative recording is implemented. The majority of respondents agree that the current method of operative reporting is insufficient for future quality requirements. There is support for intraoperative video recording, however, legal transparency is needed before either intraoperative video or audio recording could be implemented to protect not only the patients, but also the healthcare providers.

Interprofessional staff perspectives on the adoption of or black box technology and simulations to improve patient safety: a multi-methods survey

“…Those who were opposed to ORBB cited concerns about feeling threatened, fear of a punitive culture, downstream legal challenges, and the breach of confidentiality [ 26 ]. Findings corroborate with clinical recording implementation literature, where stakeholders believed recordings could improve patient care, but only with careful implementation [ 26 , 27 , 30 – 36 ]. Similarly, broader clinical recording implementation literature has found those opposed to this technology cited concerns about feeling threatened, a punitive culture, legal challenges, and privacy [ 26 , 37 ].…”

Surgical data science – from concepts toward clinical translation

“…Moving forward, liability and medical negligence/insurance regulations need to be adapted for data-driven clinical practice. A recent survey among Dutch surgeons revealed privacy and liability concerns as significant grounds for objection to video and audio recording of surgical procedures ( van de Graaf et al, 2020 ), reinforcing the importance of clear regulatory frameworks toward better clinical acceptance. New regulations will have to go much further than these current considerations, with a particular focus to be placed on cases of AI failure, human rejection of AI recommendations, or potentially the omission of AI ( European Parliament, 2020 ).…”

Adoption of routine surgical video recording: a nationwide freedom of information act request across England and Wales

“…These issues are not unique to the NHS—the SAGES consensus recommendations are in response to a “digital revolution” in American surgical practice, 6 and a recent Dutch cross-disciplinary survey highlighted hesitancy amongst stakeholders to adopt surgical recording practices within current governance structures. 24 …”

“…Barriers to routine surgical video recording, for review, collaboration, or digital applications, may be technical, sociocultural, or regulatory. 9 , 10 Whilst the issue of technical feasibility is largely solved, 13 , 24 barriers, such as concerns regarding patient confidentiality and the potential for litigious use of surgical video, remain. 9 , 10 , 25 A potential means of addressing these barriers is the modernisation of regulatory structures to address issues such as data ownership and governance.…”