Improving Interprofessional Teamwork in Plastic Surgery: A Novel Approach to Microsurgical Skills Training

Shared mental models between surgeons and nurses allow them to effectively communicate and react to intraoperative complications. Microsurgery poses unique challenges that include the use of an operating microscope, fine instruments, and a restricted view of the operative field. We designed and delivered a microsurgical skills session for surgical nurses consisting of an introduction to the operating microscope and 3 practical stations involving increasingly complex motor tasks designed to highlight the importance of instrument handling and improve awareness of microsurgical challenges. Consultant plastic surgeons acted as scrub persons to add an element of role-reversal. All participants enjoyed the training session and felt that it improved their understanding of microsurgery and was relevant and helpful to their day-to-day role. All attendees reported that they would partake in similar sessions in the future. Our work suggests that role-reversal and skills-based education and training are valuable tools in improving multidisciplinary collaboration during microsurgery. Increasing shared knowledge of complex procedures encourages effective teamwork and communication, which leads to improved efficiency and better patient care. Our study is a first step toward development of a standardized microsurgical skills course for plastic surgical nurses and has broader implications for interprofessional education across all surgical specialties.