iView Expert: externalising surgeons' expertise.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
iView Expert: adapting a method from Human-Space-Flight, Civil and Military Aviation, to externalise surgeons’ expertise in complex technical tasks, for transfer to surgical trainees.
IRAS ID
169282
Contact name
Hines Frances
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
Surgical trainees must safely manage critical and complex technical tasks amidst rapidly evolving scenarios. Experts may have difficulty fully explaining their actions. The most critical skills and behaviours may be non-technical and even the technical skills involve hidden subtleties.
In Space and Aviation, a “Cued-Recall-Debrief” method (iViewExpert) has been developed. Playback from a head-mounted camera, aided by the skilled iViewExpert debriefer, reveals elements of experts’ thoughts and intricate cognitive processes.
In our study, we aim to determine the feasibility of adapting the technique to surgical training.
Our team will include a psychologist experienced in use of the iView Expert technique, a surgeon experienced in assessment and debrief of surgeons’ technical and non-technical skills and a research fellow. Surgeons and endoscopists in Raigmore Hospital will wear a head-mounted camera to capture data during procedures like colectomies, cholecystectomy or colonoscopy. iView Expert debrief will occur within 24 hours, concentrating on a 20 – 30 minute component of the operation: Debrief will last 1.5 to 2 times the duration of the task. The video footage is used to provide cues for the recall of a wide range of cognitive and affective experiences. The surgeon provides a commentary to the footage, facilitated by the psychologist. They will explain what cues and information were important, and the decision-making behind each choice of action will be made explicit.
This footage with commentary will then be played to the same trainee who assisted in the operation, and to a different trainee. Subsequent questionnaire will determine whether important details of the expert’s competence had become apparent to the trainee, beyond those already appreciated during the live operation, and whether the process held face validity for the trainee.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
15/NS/0007
Date of REC Opinion
13 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion