Commercial videoconferencing for use in telementoring laparoscopic surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Technology
• Laparoscopic Surgery

Background:

• Telementoring is valuable for surgical training.
• Current telementoring systems face adoption challenges due to high costs and technical complexity.
• Accessible telementoring is needed to broaden surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess commercial videoconferencing applications for laparoscopic surgical telementoring.
• To identify platforms that minimize cost and technical barriers.
• To evaluate the feasibility of using readily available tools for surgical education.

Main Methods:

• Review and analysis of nine commercial videoconferencing applications.
• Evaluation based on cost-effectiveness and ease of use for telementoring.
• Assessment of technical requirements and potential integration into surgical training.

Main Results:

• Commercial videoconferencing offers a viable alternative to specialized telementoring systems.
• Identified platforms demonstrate potential for reducing financial and technical hurdles.
• Feasibility of widespread telementoring adoption using commercial tools is supported.

Conclusions:

• Commercial videoconferencing applications can effectively support laparoscopic surgical telementoring.
• Lowering barriers through accessible technology can enhance surgical education globally.
• Further research should focus on implementation and best practices for these platforms.