Can Good Intraoperative Judgement Be Taught? Pediatric Neurosurgeons’ Pedagogical Approaches to Training Residents on Intraoperative Decision-Making

Leeat Granek, Shahar Shapira, Jonathan Roth, Shlomi Constantini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To explore how pediatric neurosurgeons train residents in developing intraoperative decision-making judgement. Design: This study used the Grounded Theory Method in its study design. In-depth interviews were conducted with pediatric neurosurgeons about their approaches to training residents in intraoperative decision making. Data was analyzed line-by-line with codes and categories emerging from participants narratives. Setting & Participants: Twenty-six pediatric neurosurgeons from 12 countries were interviewed using video-conferencing technology. Results: Pediatric Neurosurgeons used a variety of training approaches that included pre-surgery discussions, didactic communication during surgery, post-surgery debriefing, allowing residents to model and observe their own intraoperative behaviors, using case studies to teach, and ongoing mentorship. In addition, they encouraged residents to ask for help when needed and emphasized the importance of empathy as a surgeon. Challenges to training residents included the notion that decision-making could only be learned through personal experience, the trainee's personality, and an over-reliance on algorithms and standardized medicine. Conclusions: Training neurosurgical residents about intraoperative decision-making appears to be ad-hoc and dependent on both the institution and the availability and willingness of senior surgeons to make this a part of their pedagogy. Surgical departments could use these findings to reflect on their own teaching practices and explore whether they wish to teach these skills more explicitly, and in what ways these skills can be best taught to residents.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1492-1499
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Surgical Education
Volume78
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Decision Making
  • Grounded Theory
  • Medical Education
  • Pediatric Neurosurgeons
  • Pediatrics
  • Residents

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Education

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Can Good Intraoperative Judgement Be Taught? Pediatric Neurosurgeons’ Pedagogical Approaches to Training Residents on Intraoperative Decision-Making'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this