A Novel Expert Coaching Model in Urology, Aimed at Accelerating the Learning Curve in Robotic Prostatectomy.
The surgical residency model assumes that upon completion, a surgeon is ready to practice and grow independently. However, many surgeons fail to improve after reaching proficiency, which in certain instances has correlated with worse clinical outcomes. Coaching addresses this problem and furthers surgeons' education post-residency. Currently, surgical coaching programs focus on medical students and residents, and have been shown to improve residents' and medical students' technical and non-technical abilities. Coaching programs also increase the accuracy of residents, fellows, and attendings in self-assessing their surgical ability. Despite the potential benefits, coaching remains underutilized and poorly studied. We developed an expert-led, face-to-face, video-based surgical coaching program at a tertiary medical center among specialized attending surgeons. Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility of such a program, measure surgeons' attitudes towards internal peer coaching, determine whether surgeons found the sessions valuable and educational, and to subjectively self-assess changes in operative technique.
Surgeons who perform robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomies were chosen and grouped by number of cases completed: junior (<100 cases), intermediate (100-500 cases), and senior (>500 cases). Surgeons were scheduled for 3 1-hour coaching sessions 1-2 months apart (February-October 2019), meeting individually with the coach (PS), an expert Urologic Oncologist with thousands of cases of experience performing radical prostatectomy. He received training on coaching methodology prior to beginning the coaching program. Before each session, surgeons selected 1 of their recent intraoperative videos to review. During sessions, the coach led discussion on topics chosen by the surgeon (i.e. neurovascular bundle dissection, apical dissection, bladder neck); together, they developed goals to achieve before the next session. Subsequent sessions included presentation and discussion of a case occurring subsequent to the prior session. Sessions were coded by discussion topics and analyzed based on level of experience. Surgeons completed a survey evaluating the experience.
All 6 surgeons completed 3 sessions. Five surgeons completed the survey; most respondents evaluated themselves as having improved in desired areas and feeling more confident performing the discussed steps of the operation. Discussed surgical principles varied by experience group; when subjectively quantifying the difficulty of surgical steps, the more difficult steps were discussed by the higher experience groups compared to the junior surgeons. The senior surgeons also focused more on oncologic potency, continence outcomes, and more theory-driven questions while the junior surgeons tended to focus more on anatomic and technique-based questions such as tissue handling and the use of cautery and clips. Overall, the surgeons thought this program provoked critical discussion and subsequently modified their technique, and "agreed" or "strongly agreed" that they would seek further sessions.
Surgical coaching at a large medical center is not only feasible but was rated positively by surgeons across all levels of experience. Coaching led to subjective self-improvement and increased self-confidence among most surgeons. Surgeons also felt that this program offered a safe space to acquire new skills and think critically after finishing residency/fellowship. Themes discussed and takeaways from the sessions varied based on surgeon experience level. While further research is needed to more objectively quantify the impact coaching has on surgeon metrics and patient outcomes, the results of this study supports the initial "proof-of-concept" of peer-based surgical coaching and its potential benefits in accelerating the learning curve for surgeons' post-residency.
Fainberg J
,Vanden Berg RNW
,Chesnut G
,Coleman JA
,Donahue T
,Ehdaie B
,Goh AC
,Laudone VP
,Lee T
,Pyon J
,Scardino PT
,Smith RC
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Putting the coach in the game: Current and future state of surgical coaching in pediatric urology.
Surgical coaching has been proposed as a mechanism to fill gaps in proficiency and encourage continued growth following formal surgical training. Coaching benefits have been demonstrated in other surgical fields; however, have not been evaluated within pediatric urology. The aims of this study were to survey members of The Societies for Pediatric Urology (SPU) to assess the current understanding and utilization of surgical coaching while gauging interest, potential barriers and personal goals for participation in a coaching program.
Following IRB approval, members of the SPU were invited to electronically complete an anonymous survey which assessed 4 domains: 1) understanding of surgical coaching principles, 2) current utilization, 3) interest and potential barriers to participation, and 4) personal surgical goals. To evaluate understanding, questions with predefined correct answers on the key principles of coaching were posed either in multiple choice or True/False format to the SPU membership.
Of the 674 pediatric urologists invited, 146 completed the survey (22%). Of those, 46% correctly responded the definition of surgical coaching. Coaching utilization was reported in 27% of respondents currently or having previously participated in a surgical coaching program. Despite current participation rates, only 6 surgeons (4%) have completed training in surgical coaching, despite 79% expressing interest to participate in a surgical coaching program. The most influential barrier to participating in a coaching program was time commitment. Respondents largely prioritized technical and cognitive skill improvement as their primary goals for coaching (see figure below).
While interest in surgical coaching is high among pediatric urologists, the principles of surgical coaching were not universally understood. Furthermore, formal coach training is markedly deficient, representing a gap in our profession and an opportunity for significant avenues for improvement, especially for technical and cognitive skills. Development of a coaching model based on these results would best suit the needs of pediatric urologists providing that the time commitment barrier for these endeavors can be mitigated and/or reconciled.
Silverii H
,Cain MP
,Ahn J
,Fernandez N
,Lendvay T
,Gupta A
,Joyner B
,Kieran K
,Shnorhavorian M
,Merguerian P
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Does a junior doctor focused 'Bootcamp' improve the confidence and preparedness of newly appointed ENT registrars to perform their job roles?
To assess changes in confidence and preparedness after conducting a 2-day induction bootcamp for novice Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) first year specialty trainee registrars (ST3s) in the United Kingdom (UK). The bootcamp covered common ENT presentations on the ward, and in the elective and emergency settings.
A total of 32 trainees (ST3 or research fellow) voluntarily registered via an online application form to the Southern ST3 accelerated learning course bootcamp through ENT UK. ENT UK is a membership body that supports ENT trainees throughout their careers. They completed a two-day bootcamp that was hosted at St Mary's Hospital, London and 10 skills sessions were delivered by either a senior ENT registrar or an ENT consultant. A pre-session questionnaire was distributed to all participants and a post-session questionnaire was provided that assessed the changes in confidence and preparedness of the participants, if any. The responses were scored by a 10-point Likert scale. Only participants who fully completed the pre and post questionnaire were included, which was 29 in total.
Participants self-reported a significant increase in confidence (p < 0.001) and preparedness (p < 0.001) following the bootcamp course. The greatest improvements in comparison to all other stations were self-preparedness in the rigid bronchoscopy station and self-confidence in the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) ligation station.
The use of a two-day bootcamp improved confidence and preparedness of managing common ENT presentations in the ward, elective and emergency settings for ENT ST3s. It provides a useful adjunct in the acquisition of technical and non-technical skills alongside the traditional surgical apprenticeship. In the future, more work is required to assess the impact of bootcamps on patient outcomes and long-term benefits on trainees' skill retention and clinical proficiency.
Rai A
,Shukla S
,Mehtani N
,Acharya V
,Tolley N
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《BMC Medical Education》
The Success and Evolution of a Urological "Boot Camp" for Newly Appointed UK Urology Registrars: Incorporating Simulation, Nontechnical Skills and Assessment.
Urological training has dramatically changed in recent years. Training durations are shorter and a drive toward consultant led care has reduced trainees experience. Within the UK, approximately 50 registrars annually embark on a 5-year Urology training programme, with variable levels of basic urological experience.
To describe a simulation programme aimed at delivering the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively start working as a registrar in Urology by intensive training with a 1:1 faculty to delegate ratio.
Our course content mirrors the UK training syllabus for junior Urology registrars. We delivered 8 modules over a 4-day programme with a fifth day of assessments. Delegates level of urological knowledge, operative competency and confidence pre-, immediately post-training and at 3-months postcourse were assessed. Objective delegate and faculty feedback was also collected. Technical skills modules include; inguinoscrotal surgery, ureteroscopy, transurethral resection, urodynamics, and Botox administration as well as basic reconstructive and laparoscopic operative skills. "Nontechnical" skills included simulated ward round, out-patient, and emergency scenarios.
Feedback from delegates and faculty members has been overwhelmingly positive. We have used this feedback to tailor the content of the course for following years. An increased knowledge level (based on mean examination scores [precourse 55.5%, postcourse 70.1%]) and operative competency was observed in all skills assessed (transurethral resection of the prostate, transurethral resection of bladder tumor, Ureteroscopy, laparoscopic skills, and instrument assembly). Operative confidence was increased immediately and at 3-months postcourse.
Our "boot camp" course provides a realistic introduction and foundation to begin Urological practice. Being delivered at the beginning of the training scheme, prior to intensive patient exposure, registrars are in an optimum position to develop their newly acquired knowledge and skills to enhance training and intends to improve patient safety and satisfaction.
Young M
,Kailavasan M
,Taylor J
,Cornford P
,Colquhoun A
,Rochester M
,Hanchanale V
,Somani B
,Nabi G
,Garthwaite M
,Gowda R
,Reeves F
,Rai B
,Doherty R
,Gkentzis A
,Athanasiadis G
,Patterson J
,Wilkinson B
,Myatt A
,Biyani CS
,Jain S
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