Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Emergency Undocking in Robotic Surgery: A Simulation Curriculum
Published on: May 20, 2018
What Surgeons Want: Access to Online Surgical Education and Peer-to-Peer Counseling-A Qualitative Study
Astrid D Häberle1, Riya Nath2, Shelley N Facente3,4
1Department of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Study Design:
Mixed methods study including quantitative data analysis and qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews.
Objectives:
Utilizing information and communication technology can facilitate professional communication within health care on a global scale. This study aimed to identify the educational and peer-to-peer communication needs of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgeons across the globe, determine preferred modes of communication, and assess technological and other barriers to online education and peer-to-peer communication.
Methods:
We performed semi-structured videoconference interviews of 92 CMF surgeons from around the globe, with the largest number in the Asia/Pacific region, the Middle East, and Latin America. We triangulated quantitative summaries with qualitative themes to improve validity and enable a more comprehensive understanding of participant perspectives.
Results:
The interviews revealed 3 main areas of technology use: new surgical technology, technology that enables information exchange, and communication technology. When asked about technology and communication platforms used in the course of their work, 33 participants (36%) mentioned PubMed or other journal-related sites; 25% recalled using YouTube as a resource; 23% described conducting internet searches using Google or other search engines; 21% used WhatsApp groups; and 11% used closed Facebook groups.
Conclusion:
CMF surgeons embraced communication technologies that allowed them to quickly obtain knowledge especially on new surgical technology, discuss cases on demand, and maintain strong communication with their global peers.
