Impact of COVID-19 lockdown in a biomedical research campus: A gender perspective analysis.

From March to September 2020, researchers working at a biomedical scientific campus in Spain faced two lockdowns and various mobility restrictions that affected their social and professional lifestyles. The working group "Women in Science," which acts as an independent observatory of scientific gender inequalities on campus launched an online survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on scientific activity, domestic and caregiving tasks, and psychological status. The survey revealed differences in scientific performance by gender: while male researchers participated in a larger number of scientific activities for career development, female researchers performed more invisible scientific tasks, including peer review or outreach activities. Mental impact was greater in researchers caring for children or dependents, and this was aggravated for women. Results spot a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on female scientific career development, and urges for equity measures to mitigate the consequences of an increase in the gender gap in biomedical sciences for current and future pandemics.

Visual gaze patterns in trainee endoscopists - a novel assessment tool.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy proficiency is significantly influenced by skills achieved during training. Although assessment scores exist, they do not evaluate the impact of visual search strategies and their use is time and labour intensive. Eye-tracking has shown significant differences in visual gaze patterns (VGPs) between expert endoscopists with varying polyp detection rates, so may provide a means of automated assessment and guidance for trainees. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of eye-tracking as a novel assessment method for trainee endoscopists. METHODS: Eye-tracking glasses were used to record 26 colonoscopies from 12 endoscopy trainees who were assessed with directly observed procedural scores (DOPS), devised by the Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on GI endoscopy, and a visual analogue score of overall competence. A 'total weighted procedure score' (TWPS) was calculated from 1 to 20. Primary outcomes of fixation duration (FixD) and fixation frequency (FixF) were analysed according to areas of interest (AOIs) with the bowel surface and lumen represented by three concentric rings. Correlation was assessed using Pearson's coefficient. Significance was set at p<.050. RESULTS: Trainees displayed a significant positive correlation between TWPS and FixD (R = 0.943, p<.0001) and FixF (R = 0.936, p<.0001) in the anatomical bowel mucosa peripheries. Conversely, they had significant negative correlations between TWPS and the anatomical bowel lumen (FixD: R= -0.546, p=.004; FixF: R= -0.568, p=.002). CONCLUSIONS: Higher objective performance scores were associated with VGPs focussing on bowel mucosa. This is consistent with prior analysis showing peripheral VGPs correspond with higher polyp detection rates. Analysis of VGPs, therefore, has potential for training and assessment in colonoscopy.

Comparison of surgeon gaze behaviour against objective skill assessment in laparoscopic cholecystectomy-a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Eye tracking technology may provide the basis of a novel, objective technical skill assessment in surgery. Past research has showed differences in the gaze patterns between expert and novice surgeons. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between gaze behaviors and technical skill during laparoscopic cholecystectomy as determined by objective assessment scores. METHODS: Gaze behaviors of surgeons performing laparoscopic cholecystectomies were mapped using wearable eye tracking apparatus. Two impartial surgeons retrospectively analyzed video footage of the procedure to perform Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) assessments. Primary endpoints were correlation between gaze behaviours (dwell time (%) and fixation frequency (count/s)) and OSATS scores. Dwell time was defined as the percentage of time spent fixating on particular visual areas of interest (AOI). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to estimate the relationship between primary endpoints and AOIs. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: 13 procedures were analyzed. Throughout all operative segments, a negative correlation was present between operating theatre dwell time and OSATS scores (p < 0.05). During dissection of Calot's triangle, there was a strong positive correlation between laparoscopic screen dwell time and OSATS scoring [r = 0.655, p < 0.05]. Scrub nurse dwell time during dissection of Calot's triangle showed a strong negative correlation with OSATS scoring [r = -0.619, p < 0.05]. During dissection of gallbladder fossa, operating theatre fixation frequency negatively correlated against OSATS scores [r = -0.566, p < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: The results suggest a greater focus on significant visual stimuli alongside a lack of attention to non-essential stimuli during critical stages of the operative period is associated with greater technical skill. This aids the validation of eye tracking as an adjunct high-stakes technical skill assessment.