Instructional Innovation Seed Grant Award - $2,500
Douglas Tran, MD (School of Medicine)
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Enhancing Resident Education through Intraoperative, Real-time Video Database
This project proposes the implementation of an intraoperative headlight camera dedicated to capturing trainees' surgical performances during live operations. Following each procedure, recordings will be securely stored in a password-protected and HIPAA-compliant video library for subsequent review.
Trainees will have the opportunity to critically analyze their performances alongside attending surgeons to identify strengths and areas for improvement. The recordings will allow for granular assessment of surgical techniques, adherence to procedural steps, and decision-making under intraoperative conditions. By incorporating real-time visual feedback, trainees will refine their dexterity, spatial awareness, and procedural efficiency.
During subsequent similar surgeries, trainees will reutilize the headlight camera to compare their performances and track progress over time. The iterative process of video review will create a structured framework for performance improvement, ensuring measurable and objective skill enhancement.
To assess the effectiveness of this approach, feedback forms will be distributed to attending surgeons to evaluate trainee performance before and after video review sessions. Objective performance markers, such as reduction in intraoperative errors, improved efficiency, and enhanced decision-making, will be systematically tracked. This iterative process aims to enhance surgical skills, foster continuous improvement, and ultimately contribute to a more robust training environment. By integrating direct video feedback into surgical education, this project seeks to advance the capabilities of surgical trainees and improve patient outcomes.
While the success of this initiative depends on the ability to capture high-quality intraoperative video, the funding requested in this grant is specifically for the educational and implementation infrastructure rather than the purchase of the headlight camera itself. Grant funds will support training sessions for faculty and trainees, the HIPAA-compliant cloud-based video storage system, and the software necessary for structured review and performance analysis. The headlight camera hardware will be acquired through alternative funding sources, allowing this grant to focus on establishing a sustainable, scalable educational framework that can enhance surgical training and improve patient outcomes.