Mental imagery and learning: a qualitative study in orthopaedic trauma surgery

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Cognitive Science in Medicine
• Orthopaedic Surgery

Background:

• Effective preoperative preparation correlates with improved surgical performance and learning.
• Mental imagery, successful in sports, is gaining traction for surgical skill enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify mental imagery components in orthopaedic trauma surgery preoperative preparation.
• To integrate these practices within socio-material theory for a surgical skills training model.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with nine high-standard orthopaedic trauma surgeons.
• Thematic analysis of audio-recorded interviews.
• Participant selection based on complex trauma experience and instruction course affiliation.

Main Results:

• Surgeons engage in intensive interactions with colleagues and materials during preparation.
• These interactions stimulate mental imagery for strategy development and procedural rehearsal.
• Preoperative 'plan' discussions serve as key training tools and facilitate trainee participation.

Conclusions:

• Preoperative preparation is a socio-material process involving imaginal, verbal, and physical interactions.
• Actor-network theory aids in understanding these interactions and self-assessment of preparation.
• Supervisors should utilize preoperative plans as teaching tools to foster trainees' preparatory skills.