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Review
. 2021 Mar 8;21(1):123.
doi: 10.1186/s12893-021-01123-4.

Supporting laparoscopic general surgery training with digital technology: The United Kingdom and Ireland paradigm

Gemma Humm  1   2 , Rhiannon L Harries  3 , Danail Stoyanov  4   5 , Laurence B Lovat  4   6
Affiliations
Review

Supporting laparoscopic general surgery training with digital technology: The United Kingdom and Ireland paradigm

Gemma Humm et al. BMC Surg. .

Abstract

Surgical training in the UK and Ireland has faced challenges following the implementation of the European Working Time Directive and postgraduate training reform. The health services are undergoing a digital transformation; digital technology is remodelling the delivery of surgical care and surgical training. This review aims to critically evaluate key issues in laparoscopic general surgical training and the digital technology such as virtual and augmented reality, telementoring and automated workflow analysis and surgical skills assessment. We include pre-clinical, proof of concept research and commercial systems that are being developed to provide solutions. Digital surgical technology is evolving through interdisciplinary collaboration to provide widespread access to high-quality laparoscopic general surgery training and assessment. In the future this could lead to integrated, context-aware systems that support surgical teams in providing safer surgical care.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence; Digital technology; Laparoscopic surgery; Nontechnical skills; Simulation; Surgical training; Telementoring; Virtual reality mobile application.

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Conflict of interest statement

GH’s salary is paid via an educational grant from Digital Surgery Ltd to University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. RH has no competing interests to declare. DS is an employee of Digital Surgery Ltd. LBL has no competing interests to declare.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A suggested timeline for digital support in general surgical training
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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