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Surgical Endoscopy

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Open Access 01-02-2024

Evaluation of a novel home-based laparoscopic and core surgical skills programme (Monash Online Surgical Training)

Authors: Samantha Leng, Noor Chaudhry, Maurizio Pacilli, Ramesh Mark Nataraja

Published in: Surgical Endoscopy | Issue 4/2024

Abstract

Introduction

Limitations to surgical education access were exacerbated during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In response, we created a national home-based comprehensive surgical skills course: Monash Online Surgical Training (MOST). Our aim was to evaluate the educational impact of this approach.

Methods

A remote, 6-week course was designed with learning objectives aligned to the national surgical training. Participants received a personal laparoscopic bench trainer, instrument tracking software, live webinars, access to an online theoretical learning platform, and individualised feedback by system-generated or expert surgeons’ assessments. Mixed method analysis of instrument tracking metrics, pre- and post-course questionnaires (11 core surgical domains) and participant comments was utilised. Data were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U test, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 54 participants with varied levels of experience (1 to > 6 years post-graduate level) completed MOST. All 11 learning-outcome domains demonstrated statistically significant improvement including core laparoscopic skills (1.4/5 vs 2.8/5, p < 0.0001) and handling laparoscopic instruments (1.5/5 vs 2.8/5, p < 0.0001). A total of 3460 tasks were completed reflecting 158.2 h (9492 min) of practice, 394 were submitted for formal feedback. Participants rated the course (mean 8.5/10, SD 1.6), live webinars (mean 8.9/10, SD 1.6) and instrument tracking software (mean 8.6, SD 1.7) highly. Qualitative analysis revealed a paradigm shift including the benefits of a safe learning environment and self-paced, self-directed learning.

Conclusion

The MOST course demonstrates the successful implementation of a fully remote laparoscopic simulation course which participants found to be an effective tool to acquire core surgical skills.

Graphical abstract

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Title: Evaluation of a novel home-based laparoscopic and core surgical skills programme (Monash Online Surgical Training)
Authors: Samantha Leng
Noor Chaudhry
Maurizio Pacilli
Ramesh Mark Nataraja
Publication date: 01-02-2024
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Surgical Endoscopy / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 0930-2794
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2218
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-023-10669-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Evaluation of a novel home-based laparoscopic and core surgical skills programme (Monash Online Surgical Training)

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Graphical abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Graphical abstract

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