Experience Level Influences Users' Interactions With and Expectations For Online Surgical Videos: A Mixed-Methods...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Medical Education
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Online surgical videos are extensively utilized by upper-extremity surgeons and trainees for procedural learning.
• Understanding the specific role and content preferences of these videos is crucial for optimizing surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the use of online surgical videos among orthopedic learners.
• To understand how video content and usage differ based on the experience level of orthopedic residents and practicing surgeons.

Main Methods:

• Conducted four focus groups with orthopedic learners, stratified by experience level.
• Qualitatively analyzed focus group transcripts to identify themes in video interaction and content desires.
• Developed and administered a survey based on focus group findings to quantitatively assess associations between experience level and video preferences.

Main Results:

• Identified four key themes in video interaction: prewatching, selection, usage, and design, with variations based on experience.
• The ideal video length was found to be 10 minutes, with all users prioritizing the demonstration of the surgical procedure.
• Junior residents preferred background information and outlines, while senior learners focused on advanced decision-making and specific implant details.

Conclusions:

• Surgical learner's experience level is a significant determinant of their interaction with, selection of, and expectations for online surgical videos.
• Content and production of surgical videos should be tailored to the specific experience level of the target audience for maximum educational efficacy.