Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A
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J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A · Jan 2016
Case ReportsTrans-Atlantic Telementoring with Pediatric Surgeons: Technical Considerations and Lessons Learned.
Although surgical residency training is a structured, regulated system for surgical skill acquisition, after residency or fellowship, no good method exists for practicing surgeons to learn new, developing techniques. Because 1-2-day simulation courses are probably inadequate for teaching a new technique and because it is often unrealistic for a practicing surgeon to leave his or her practice for an extended period of time, surgical telementoring may be a solution by allowing an expert to support a trained surgeon through the learning curve of a new procedure while overcoming geographic distance. In the past we have presented 6 cases of transcontinental telementoring with pediatric surgeons in the United States. We have since expanded the concept to trans-Atlantic telementoring and performed 2 cases with pediatric surgeons in France. ⋯ From this experience, several challenges were identified and addressed. Telementoring may be an effective means of improving adoption of new surgical techniques, ultimately improving patient care.