For Your Eyes Only? The Use of Surgical Videos in Urological Residency Training: A European-wide Survey

Video-based learning may be beneficial in surgical education, both in the preparation for surgery and to evaluate surgical performance. The use of a video is not yet anchored in European urology residency programs, and it is unclear how frequently residents use videos. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether and how urology residents utilize videos to prepare for surgical procedures and evaluate their surgical performance.

We conducted a European-wide, survey-based, needs assessment among urology residents. The survey was distributed electronically among the participants in the European Urology Residents Education Program 2022 and all the members of the European Society of Residents in Urology.

Seventy-two surveys were completed by the residents of 12 nationalities. Of the residents, 98.6% used videos in preparation, mainly for open, laparoscopic, and robotic procedures. YouTube was by far the most used source. Of the residents, 86% believed that a postsurgical video review would be helpful. In total, 39% of the residents actually had this possibility. Of them, 30% had the opportunity to do this together with a supervisor.

This study demonstrated that European urology residents often use videos to prepare surgical procedures. Considering that the majority of the respondents use YouTube as the main source of videos, this seems not to be formalized within their training. Although most residents would value a postsurgical video review, preferably together with a supervisor, the latter is not available to the majority. We recommend the use of professional, and not public, video channels and easier access to postsurgical video review.

Video-based learning may have an important role in surgical education. Videos often are a source of education for European urology residents to prepare for surgical procedures. Although most residents would appreciate a postsurgical video review or video-based coaching, this is not available to the majority of them.