Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Simulator Training for Endovascular Neurosurgery
Published on: May 6, 2020
Educational value of a novel telestration device for surgical coaching-a randomized controlled trial
Mohamed Saif Hameed1, Parmiss Kiani1, Priyanka Kugamoorthy1
1Surgical Artificial Intelligence Research Academy, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Introduction:
Communication is fundamental to effective surgical coaching. This can be challenging for training during image-guided procedures where coaches and trainees need to articulate technical details on a monitor. Telestration devices that annotate on monitors remotely could potentially overcome these limitations and enhance the coaching experience. This study aims to evaluate the value of a novel telestration device in surgical coaching.
Methods:
A randomized-controlled trial was designed. All participants watched a video demonstrating the task followed by a baseline performance assessment and randomization into either control group (conventional verbal coaching without telestration) or telestration group (verbal coaching with telestration). Coaching for a simulated laparoscopic small bowel anastomosis on a dry lab model was done by a faculty surgeon. Following the coaching session, participants underwent a post-coaching performance assessment of the same task. Assessments were recorded and rated by blinded reviewers using a modified Global Rating Scale of the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). Coaching sessions were also recorded and compared in terms of mentoring moments; guidance misinterpretations, questions/clarifications by trainees, and task completion time. A 5-point Likert scale was administered to obtain feedback.
Results:
Twenty-four residents participated (control group 13, telestration group 11). Improvements in some elements of the OSATS scale were noted in the Telestration arm but there was no statistical significance in the overall score between the two groups. Mentoring moments were more in the telestration Group. Amongst the telestration Group, 55% felt comfortable that they could perform this task independently, compared to only 8% amongst the control group and 82% would recommend the use of telestration tools here.
Conclusion:
There is demonstrated educational value of this novel telestration device mainly in the non-technical aspects of the interaction by enhancing the coaching experience with improvement in communication and greater mentoring moments between coach and trainee.
