Artificial intelligence based real-time video ergonomic assessment and training improves resident ergonomics.

BACKGROUND: Surgery demands long hours and intense exertion raising ergonomic concerns. We piloted a sensorless artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted ergonomics analysis app to determine its feasibility for use with residents. METHODS: Surgery residents performed simulated laparoscopic tasks before and after a review of the SCORE ergonomics curriculum while filmed with a sensorless app from Kinetica Labs that calculates joint angles as a metric of ergonomics. A survey was completed before the session and a focus group was conducted after. RESULTS: Thirteen surgical residents participated in the study. The brief intervention took little time and residents improved their ergonomic scores in neck and right shoulder angles. Residents expressed increased awareness of ergonomics based on the session content and AI information. All trainees desired more training in ergonomics. CONCLUSIONS: Ergonomic assessment AI software can provide immediate feedback to surgical trainees to improve ergonomics. Additional studies using sensorless AI technology are needed.

Early effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the North American cardiothoracic surgery job market.

Background: The present study aims to report the early effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the cardiothoracic surgery job market in North America. Methods: The Cardiothoracic Surgery Network (CTSNet) job market database was queried, and patterns from January to May for 2019 versus January to May 2020 were compared for trends in job postings and job seekers. Results: Our study is comprised of 395 cardiothoracic surgery job postings, of which 98% were positions located in North America and 63% were academic. The negative impact of the pandemic on the cardiothoracic surgery job market was greatest in the cardiothoracic/cardiovascular combined subspecialty, followed by congenital and adult cardiac surgery, whereas general thoracic surgery experienced an increase in proportion of jobs available. Despite an increase in views per job posted in 2020 vs. 2019 (532 vs. 290), employer views of job seeker curriculum vitae declined over the same time period in 2020 (January, 380 views/month to May, 3 views/month) compared to 2019 (January, 100 views/month to May, 54 views/month). Conclusions: An analysis of job postings from CTSNet suggests a decline in job availability in the North American cardiothoracic surgical job market following declaration of the pandemic with acknowledgement that there is month to month variability and a supply-demand mismatch. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on our field, and the ultimate consequences remain unknown.

Surgeon Strength: Ergonomics and Strength Training in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

With the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in surgeons and interventionalists, it is critical to analyze the impact of ergonomics on cardiothoracic surgeon health. Here, we review the existing literature and propose recommendations to improve physical preparedness for surgery both in and outside the operating room. For decades, cardiothoracic surgeons have suffered from musculoskeletal pain, most commonly in the neck, and back due to a lack of proper ergonomics during surgery. A lack of dedicated ergonomics curriculum during training may leave surgeons at a high predisposition for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and other sources for studies relevant to surgical ergonomics and prevalence of musculoskeletal disease among surgeons and interventionalists. Whenever possible, data from quantitative studies, and meta-analyses are presented. We also contacted experts and propose an exercise routine to improve physical preparedness for demands of surgery. To date, many studies have reported astonishingly high rates of work-related pain in surgeons with rates as high as 87% in minimally-invasive surgeons. Several optimizations regarding correct table height, monitor positioning, and loupe angles have been discussed. Lastly, implementation of ergonomics training at some programs have been effective at reducing the rates of musculoskeletal pain among surgeons. Surgical work-related stress injuries are more common than we think. Many factors including smaller incisions and technological advancements have led to this plight. Ultimately, work-related injuries are underreported and understudied and the field of surgical ergonomics remains open for investigative study.