Training or non-surgical factors-what determines a good surgical performance? A randomised controlled trial

Background Acquiring laparoscopic skills is a necessity for every young surgeon. Whether it is a talent or a non-surgical skill that determines the surgical performance of an endoscopic operation has been discussed for years. In other disciplines aptitude testing has become the norm. Airlines, for example, have implemented assessments to test the natural aptitude of future pilots to predict their performance later on. In the medical field, especially surgery, there are no similar comparable tests implemented or even available. This study investigates the influence of potential factors that may predict the successful performance of a complex laparoscopic operation, such as the surgeon's age, gender or learning method. Methods This study focussed 70 surgical trainees. It was designed as a secondary analysis of data derived from a 2 x 2 factorial randomised controlled trial of practical training and/or multimedia training (four groups) in an experimental exercise. Both before and then after the training sessions, the participating trainees performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a pelvitrainer. Surgical performance was then evaluated using a modified objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS). Participants were classified as 'Skilled' (high score in the pre-test), 'Good Learner' (increase from pre-to post-test) or 'Others' based on the OSATS results. Based on the results of the recorded performance, the training methods as well as non-surgical skills were eventually evaluated in a univariate and in a multivariate analysis. Results In the pre-training performance 11 candidates were categorised as 'Skilled' (15.7%), 35 participants as 'Good Learners' (50.0%) and 24 participants were classified as 'Others'. The univariate analysis showed that the age, a residency in visceral surgery, and participation in a multimedia training were significantly associated with this grouping. Multivariate analyses revealed that residency in visceral surgery was the most predictive factor for the 'Skilled' participants (p = 0.059), and multimedia training was most predictive for the 'Good Learner' (p = 0.006). Participants in the group of 'Others' who were neither 'Skilled' nor improved in the training phase were younger (p = 0.011) and did not receive multimedia (p < 0.001) or practical (p = 0.025) training. Conclusion The type of learning method has been shown to be the most effective factor to improve laparoscopic skills, with multimedia training proving to be more effective than practical training

Current status of residency training in laparoscopic surgery in Brazil: a critical review

Introdução: A formação do cirurgião geral vem se modificando nas últimas décadas. O aumento das escolas médicas, as novas especialidades e as modernas tecnologias induzem à reformulação do ensino médico. A residência médica em cirurgia estabeleceu-se como etapa fundamental na formação do cirurgião e surge como a forma ideal e natural para o ensino da videocirurgia. No entanto, a introdução da videocirurgia nos programas de residência médica nas diversas especialidades cirúrgicas é insuficiente, gerando a necessidade de treinamento complementar após o seu término. Objetivo: Rever a situação de ensino da videocirurgia em serviços que publicaram seus métodos. Método: Revisão de conteúdo publicado em livros e na internet considerados relevantes, além de pesquisa nas bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs e Scielo até julho 2014 com os descritores: videocirurgia; simulação; educação médica; aprendizagem; treinamento em cirurgia. Resultado: O método de treinamento em programas de residência médica em cirurgia, focado na realização de procedimentos cirúrgicos sob supervisão em pacientes, comprovou sua eficiência na era da cirurgia aberta. No entanto, configura conceitualmente um processo de experimentação em seres humanos. O aprendizado psicomotor não deve e não pode ser desenvolvido diretamente no paciente A formação em videocirurgia requer a aquisição de habilidades psicomotoras únicas, através de treinamento realizado inicialmente por simulação cirúrgica. Plataformas de ensino baseadas na solução de problemas como o Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery, desenvolvido pela Sociedade Americana de Cirurgia Endoscópica Gastrointestinal e o Laparoscopic Surgical Skills proposto pela Sociedade Europeia de Cirurgia Endoscópica são exemplos que têm sido amplamente utilizados tanto para o ensino como para a acreditação de cirurgiões em todo o mundo. Conclusão: É necessário o estabelecimento de um processo pedagógico mais adequado para o ensino da videocirurgia nas residências médicas no sentido de conferir base educacional sólida, determinando atividade profissional bem estruturada e segura.The surgeon’s formation process has changed in recent decades. The increase in medical schools, new specialties and modern technologies induce an overhaul of medical education. Medical residency in surgery has established itself as a key step in the formation of the surgeon, and represents the ideal and natural way for teaching laparoscopy. However, the introduction of laparoscopic surgery in the medical residency programs in surgical specialties is insufficient, creating the need for additional training after its termination. Objective: To review the surgical teaching ways used in services that published their results. Methods: Survey of relevant publications in books, internet and databases in PubMed, Lilacs and Scielo through july 2014 using the headings: laparoscopy; simulation; education, medical; learning; internship and residency. Results: The training method for medical residency in surgery focused on surgical procedures in patients under supervision, has proven successful in the era of open surgery. However, conceptually turns as a process of experimentation in humans. Psychomotor learning must not be developed directly to the patient Training in laparoscopic surgery requires the acquisition of psychomotor skills through training conducted initially with surgical simulation. Platforms based teaching problem solving as the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery, developed by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery and the Laparoscopic Surgical Skills proposed by the European Society of Endoscopic Surgery has been widely used both for education and for the accreditation of surgeons worldwide. Conclusion: The establishment of a more appropriate pedagogical process for teaching laparoscopic surgery in the medical residency programs is mandatory in order to give a solid surgical education and to determine a structured and safe professional activity