EAU policy on live surgery events.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Urology
• Medical Policy Development

Background:

• Live surgery events (LSEs) are integral to surgical training but face scrutiny regarding educational efficacy, patient safety, and potential conflicts of interest.
• The increasing prevalence of LSEs necessitates standardized guidelines for their organization within urologic meetings.

Framework:

• The European Association of Urology (EAU) developed a policy to regulate LSEs, ensuring adherence to established standards.
• A consensus-driven approach, utilizing literature reviews, expert surveys, and the Delphi method, informed the policy's creation.

Implementation:

• Endorsement of LSEs is contingent upon compliance with the EAU Code of Conduct for live surgery and all organizational prerequisites.
• Mandatory submission of outcome data to an EAU registry and complication reporting via revised Martin criteria are required.
• Regular audits will assess adherence to the policy and the educational impact of live surgery demonstrations.

Implications:

• This policy establishes a regulatory framework for conducting live surgery demonstrations at urologic meetings, prioritizing patient safety above all else.
• The EAU's endorsement signifies recognition of the educational value of live surgery when conducted responsibly within defined guidelines.
• The framework aims to enhance the educational value and safety of live surgery events in urology.