Coach-guided video review rated most useful by surgery residents

Researchers at a single institution studied 13 general surgery residents who reviewed videos of their own or others’ hepatocystic triangle dissections during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In one-hour sessions, residents completed four review formats: a standardized public video, a peer’s video, self-review, and attending coach-guided review. Outcomes included perceived usefulness and modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (mOSAT) scores. Participants had completed a mean of 72.2 laparoscopic cholecystectomies; five were senior residents.

Attending-guided review received the highest mean usefulness rating (4.9 out of 5), followed by self-review (4.2), peer video (3.3), and the standardized video (2.9). Ratings differed significantly across formats (ANOVA F(3,48)=6.53; p<0.001). Junior residents overestimated their performance relative to blinded coach assessments more than senior residents did (−4.4 vs 1.8; p=0.038).

The findings suggest residents valued expert-guided reflection, while junior trainees may need particular support with self-assessment. However, the study was small and single-center, and its outcomes included perceived usefulness; it does not establish that this approach improves operative performance or patient outcomes. One author disclosed equity and intellectual property interests in Surgical Safety Technologies, which developed the OR Black Box technology used to capture the videos.