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Mental workload during endoscopic sinus surgery is associated with surgeons' skill levels.
Masanobu Suzuki1, Kou Miyaji2, Kotaro Matoba3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
Frontiers in Medicine
|May 11, 2023
Summary
Surgeons' mental workload during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is linked to skill level and improves with training. However, some demands persist or increase, necessitating routine mental health assessments for surgical trainees.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Education
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Assessing surgeons' mental workload during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is complex due to anatomical variations and surgical difficulty.
- Novel 3D sinus models offer a standardized environment for evaluating mental workload in ESS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the mental workload of surgeons with varying skill levels during ESS using 3D models.
- To identify factors contributing to mental workload and assess the impact of repetitive training.
Main Methods:
- Forty-seven surgeons performed ESS simulations using high-fidelity 3D-printed models.
- Mental workload was measured using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX).
- Associations between NASA-TLX scores, surgical skill metrics (board certification, case experience, OSATS), and training effects were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Total NASA-TLX scores significantly correlated with Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) scores (p=0.0001).
- Mental workload comprised skill-level-dependent (temporal demand, effort, performance), skill-level-independent (mental, physical demand), and frustration factors.
- Repetitive training reduced skill-dependent factors but increased independent factors; frustration remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Surgical skill level influences certain aspects of mental workload in ESS, which can be mitigated by repetitive training.
- Skill-independent demands may increase with experience, highlighting the need for ongoing support.
- Regular assessment of mental workload is crucial for surgical trainees' well-being and sustained performance.
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