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RACS ASC 2025
Feasibility of Remote Asynchronous Video-Based Coaching (RAVBC) intervention to improve surgeon non-technical skills in rural settings.
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Presentation Description

Institution: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital - SA, Australia

Background: Many adverse events are caused by failures of surgeon non-technical skills (NTS). NTS decline over time, yet currently, no evidence-based assessment and improvement opportunities are available for Australian surgeons. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and value of a novel coaching intervention conducted in rural settings. Methods: A multi-centre, prospective, pre-post intervention study supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Specialist Training Program (STP). Enrolled consultant surgeons were audio-visually recorded in three clinic settings (outpatient clinic, ward round, and operating theatre), three times. Filming round 1 formed the pre-intervention baseline, filming round 2 followed a single coaching session, and filming round 3 followed a further coaching session. After filming round 1 and 2, recordings were sent to coaches for review, followed by a 1-on-1 remote coaching session. Feasibility and value of the intervention were analysed using independent blinded assessment and qualitative analysis of post-intervention questionnaires. Results: seventeen surgeons were recruited. 100% completed all rounds of filming and coaching demonstrating feasibility. NTS improvements were demonstrated in 13/17 (76%) participants, though not statistically significant. Qualitative analyses demonstrated that RAVBC was valuable and, enabled identification of participant strengths and weaknesses. Coaches perceived an overall improvement in participant NTS. Conclusion: RAVBC is a feasible tool, well tolerated by surgeons, supporting staff, and patients. The results of this study support the use of RAVBC as an intervention to assess and improve surgeon NTS, to help reduce non-technical errors.
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Authors
Authors

Mr Jesse Ey - , Mrs Deanna Mazzarolo - , Dr Hester Lacey - , Dr John North - , Dr David Sainsbury - , Dr Morgan Prince - , Professor Matthias Wichmann - , Associate Professor Kerin Fielding - , Professor Guy Maddern -