Objective: To evaluate patient safety, educational value and ethical issues surrounding "Live surgical broadcast" (LSB) and "As-live surgical broadcast" (ALB) using data obtained from Urological delegates attending two recent UK Endourology meetings.
Subjects and Methods: 212 delegates at the UK section meeting of the SIU were invited to complete an online survey using SurveyMonkey® to compare their previous perceptions of LSB and ALB, and to compare their current experience of ALB to previous experience of LSB. 103 delegates at the BAUS Endourology meeting used live voting keypads to compare their experience of LSB and ALB simultaneously, as well as comparing their current experience of ALB to previous experience of LSB. Responses were recorded using a Likert scale.
Results: 165 responses were analysed from the meetings. Most delegates were in specialist practice as a Consultant or trainee (89.1%). LSB had been witnessed more than ALB (87.1% vs. 66.6%, p=0.049). Based on previous experiences, the educational value of the both formats was felt similar, but delegates felt there were significant patient safety benefits with ALB over LSB. Delegates were significantly less likely to recommend a friend or family, or volunteer themselves to be a patient in an LSB setting. On the day comparison of LSB and ALB shows a similar educational value to both formats, but with significantly less concern for the surgeon and patient's outcome with ALB.
Conclusion: ALB offers similar educational opportunities to delegates when compared with LSB, whilst appearing to offer significant welfare benefits to both surgeon and patient. Further studies are required to objectively quantify these subjective observations.
Written by:
Finch WJ, Masood J, Buchholz N, Turney BW, Smith D, Wiseman O. Are you the author?
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Urology, Colney Lane, Norwich, Norwich, United Kingdom, NR4 7UY.
Reference: J Endourol. 2015 Jan 20. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.1089/end.2014.0580
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25603409