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  • Dr. Carlos Chacon

Surgical Education Perspectives

The scarcity of well-trained teachers is one of the most challenging aspects of surgical education. Surgical educators can play an essential role in ensuring the long-term viability of the surgical education system. One method of promoting sustainability is to train teachers through "training the trainer" courses. Implementing "near-peer" instruction is another strategy. Student surgical societies can also assist by organizing surgical skills courses and interacting with international organizations and local institutions.


Telementoring in surgical education is a newer technology with various advantages. It is cost-effective and overcomes geographical barriers. It has also been demonstrated to increase educational outcomes. As a result, telementoring is gaining traction in surgical education.


However, telementoring is not without its difficulties. First, resource-constrained countries frequently lack the funds to purchase and deploy technical advances. While numerous studies showed encouraging results using da Vinci robots and augmented reality trainers, such platforms are not practicable in all contexts. There are, however, different techniques for telementoring in surgical education.


Video streaming is another way of telementoring. Telementors can connect with a more significant number of people thanks to video streaming services. In one study, Datta et al. reported 7939 unique stream views and 26 comments from teleproctors. Furthermore, real-time video streaming can be an effective educational tool. Besides having a more significant geographic reach, this strategy expands educational opportunities for students worldwide.


Learning styles differ between surgical residents and medical students, and using a teaching video demonstration may boost student confidence. However, the impact of individual types of presentation is unknown due to the study's small sample size. Future research could look into the influence of different presentation modalities on student performance.


Traditional anatomy teaching methods were ineffective. Previously, educators utilized PowerPoint to present information, and prosecuted specimens were used for demonstration. However, with the advancement of digital technologies, anatomy instruction can become a far more participatory experience for students.


The study of how humans think is known as metacognition, and its application to surgical education is critical in developing an effective training program. Surgeons should employ metacognition principles such as cognitive pre-training, purposeful practice, and mental model construction to optimize the training process. This method enables surgeons to practice new abilities safely before performing them in the operating room.


Wikis are one method for incorporating metacognition into surgical teaching. Users can edit and update material on these dynamic platforms. Wikis are very effective for surgical education because they allow students to obtain the most up-to-date knowledge on a specific topic. Wikis in surgical education enable learners to access the most current and best practices while maximizing the cognitive pre-training experience.


While surgeons have professional obligations, they also have a personal life. A surgeon's lack of work-life balance can have significant effects, including emotional health difficulties and potential safety risks. NexGen's work-life balance survey shows surgeons with a high work-family ratio do better in their professional lives.


Work-life balance is an essential component of medical education. Medical specialists, in particular, bear a significant administrative burden and frequently work long hours on administrative tasks. Fortunately, processes are in place to reduce administrative workload and assist doctors in achieving work-life balance.


Peer pressure is an unavoidable element of everyday living. This influence can lead to adverse decisions, such as substance misuse and unsafe sexual situations. It is critical to recognize the beneficial features of peer pressure and guard oneself against being negatively impacted. There are numerous strategies to withstand peer pressure and surround yourself with positive influences.


The severity and frequency of peer pressure in surgical education might vary. It may be less prominent in informal teaching contexts, such as the hallway or the operating room, where participants can freely share their opposing viewpoints. It can, however, be more severe in instances where there is a lot of interprofessional peer pressure.

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