Leveraging Videoconferencing Technology to Augment Surgical Training During a Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to review the use of videoconferencing as a practical tool for remote surgical education and to propose a model to overcome the impact of a pandemic on resident training. Summary Background Data: In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, most institutions and residency programs have been restructured to minimize the number of residents in the hospital as well as their interactions with patients and to promote physical distancing measures. This has resulted in decreased resident operative exposure, responsibility, and autonomy, hindering their educational goals and ability to achieve surgical expertise necessary for independent practice. Methods: We conducted a narrative review to explore the use of videoconferencing for remote broadcasting of surgical procedures, telecoaching using surgical videos, telesimulation for surgical skills training, and establishing a didactic lecture series. Results and Conclusions: We present a multimodal approach for using practical videoconferencing tools that provide the means for audiovisual communication to help augment residents’ operative experience and limit the impact of self-isolation, redeployment, and limited operative exposure on surgical training.

Looking through the Lens: The Reality of Telesurgical Support with Interactive Technology Using Microsoft’s HoloLens 2

“…This is perhaps a limitation of the current application; however, applications are being released that include holographic recognition of surgical instruments and holographic screens for other intraoperative digital technologies. Other technologies, such as video conferencing systems, have been shown to be valuable in remote surgical education across the globe, including broadcasting of surgical procedures [ 9 , 10 ]. This often requires the use of extensive operating theatre upgrades for catching different camera angles, additional microphones, and even a surgeon narrator.…”

“…This often requires the use of extensive operating theatre upgrades for catching different camera angles, additional microphones, and even a surgeon narrator. Madani et al [ 9 ] noted limitations of such systems for open procedures given the limited mobility of the cameras, though they did suggest the ability to use head-mounted cameras may resolve these concerns. Morimoto et al [ 10 ] describe the use of “action cameras” to record surgery from the surgeon's perspective, but note that an ideal camera is not currently available.…”

Remote surgical education using synthetic models combined with an augmented reality headset

“…Raborn et al looked at several remote training methodologies that could be implemented during COVID-19, which the authors termed telesurgical mentoring [ 19 ]. Proctors, who were fully trained surgeons, used a variety of methods including 2-way radios, video, telestration (on-screen annotations provided by the proctor), and the STAR system (System for Telementoring with Augmented Reality) [ 20 ]. Sheni et al created the VIPAR (Virtual Interactive Presence and Augmented Reality) system for remote surgical assistance [ 21 ].…”