The new VBC: creating a video-based culture in general surgery residency

Surgery has become increasingly subspecialized and complex and therefore teaching strategies for surgical trainees must also adapt. Operative video review and coaching represents a potential innovation to improve the efficacy of resident skill acquisition. Effective implementation of any video-based program includes the creation of a video-based culture through a cycle of incentivization that focuses on record, store, apply, and champion. Record involves identifying institutional requirements and capabilities and understanding the nuances of capturing videos for both open and minimally invasive operative cases. Store highlights the importance of transitioning recorded videos from OR devices to personal devices, including external drives and cloud-based systems. Apply is a crucial step in that recording and storing the videos are only useful if application is emphasized. Video-based coaching as well as video review and competency-based education are applications of video-based assessments that can have a significant impact on educational quality improvement. Additionally, operative videos can be applied toward video abstracts and presentations, as well as gamification in training programs, optimizing resident engagement and educational interest. Finally, champions of video-based assessments are important for implementation and dissemination of a video-based culture. As educators and learners, we should embrace and promote video-based assessments and begin to see this as an integral part of surgical education, lifelong performance improvement, and continuous certification.