Objective: To evaluate the perception of urologists who have participated in Live Case Demonstrations (LCDs) regarding safety, educational value/benefits and ethics.
Methods: A 19-question anonymous survey was sent to urologists that performed and/or moderated LCDs at World Congress of Endourology (WCE) meetings from 2008 - 2012. E-survey was distributed via e-mail, and automatic reminders were sent 2 weeks after original distribution if no response was obtained.
Results: Eighty-one percent (92/113) responded to the survey of which 75% practice full time in an academic setting. However, only 48.0% were fellowship trained. More than 60% had performed >5 LCDs at their home and/or away institutions. Performing LCD at an away institution was associated with higher level of anxiety when compared with performing LCDs at a home institution (79.8% vs. 34.6%; p < 0.01). Respondents considered film equipment and crew; audience and moderator discussions; unfamiliar team, instruments and tools; language barrier; and having to narrate the procedure, as distractors. Seventy-nine percent considered LCD as an ethical practice and 90.5% regarded LCDs as a "beneficial" and a "great way" to educate. Similarly, considering the various factors and conditions associated with LCDs, 95% would agree to participate in another LCD.
Conclusion: LCDs are perceived to be an effective mode of education by performers and moderators of LCDs. However, standard guidelines and policies are needed for the selection of patient, surgeon and his team, equipment and facility. Studies are needed to evaluate the impact of this education process.
Written by:
Salami SS, Elsamra SE, Motato H, Leavitt DA, Friedlander J, Paoli M, Duty B, Okeke Z, Smith A. Are you the author?
Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York, United States.
Reference: J Endourol. 2014 May 23. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1089/end.2014.0094
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24854833
UroToday.com Endourology Section