How I Do It: Video-Based Self-Assessment as a Method of Open Surgical Education for Vascular Surgery Trainees

Video-based assessments have been described for surgical residents, with limited use in open vascular surgery education. Our aims were to evaluate self-assessment ability and whether video-based self-assessment can improve performance of a simulated operation in vascular surgery trainees.

Four integrated vascular surgery residents were recorded independently performing a carotid endarterectomy (CEA) on a cadaver during two simulation sessions spaced one month apart. Residents were evaluated by double-blinded faculty and completed self-assessment forms. Resident performance was compared between the two sessions and agreement between self-evaluations and faculty evaluations was analyzed.

Junior residents saw improved performance on certain task-specific metrics between sessions and an improvement in their self-assessment abilities. Senior residents performed well initially and did not show improvement between sessions.

This proof-of-concept experience shows that video recordings and self-evaluation alongside faculty feedback can be used to improve resident operative performance and self-assessment ability, particularly for trainees with limited exposure to an operation.