The impact of feedback on laparoscopic skills for surgical residents during COVID-19

Background: We sought to determine how real-time video feedback compares to delayed written feedback on junior resident performance of laparoscopic skills using at-home laparoscopic training boxes. Methods: Junior surgical residents from Memorial University were randomized into 3 groups: a control group (group A), a delayed feedback group (group B), and a live feedback group (group C). Data collection was 5 months in duration. Participants practised prescribed laparoscopic skills biweekly. Intervention groups (B and C) received either delayed or live feedback on weekly practice from an expert. Pre- and post-testing were completed. Results: Twelve residents were recruited;1 was lost to follow-up. After the data collection period, the average number of pegs transferred correctly increased by 2.8 ± 1.7 for group A, 3.0 ± 2.6 for group B, and 2.0 ± 1.4 for group C. There was significant group variance (F2,8 = 5.928, p = 0.026). Post hoc testing resulted in group B outperforming groups A and C. For the intracorporeal knot tying task and number of throws completed, groups B and C both improved;no significant difference was noted between groups. Qualitative data showed an increase in confidence for all groups in completing the tasks and a preference for live compared with delayed feedback. Conclusion: Access to box trainers allowed residents to practise at home, leading to improved skill and confidence. Participants receiving delayed feedback showed a significant improvement in peg transfer. Further studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted on how feedback can affect resident outcomes in laparoscopic surgery skills.

The impact of COVID-19 on surgical education: perspectives from Canadian general surgery residents.

Most institutions have mitigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency education by transitioning to web-based educational platforms and using innovative solutions, such as surgical video libraries, telehealth clinics, online question banks via social media platforms, and procedural simulations. Here, we assess the perceived impact of COVID-19 on Canadian surgical residency education and discuss the unique challenges in adapting to a virtual format and how novel training methods implemented during the pandemic may be useful in the future of surgical education.