Utilizing a surgical sabermetrics framework to assess the impact of trainer behavior on trainee cognitive load during vascular surgery simulation

Surgical training programs lack data-driven, objective feedback of resident surgeon technical performance, non-technical skill and intraoperative cognitive load (CogL). Cognitive load is the working memory resource required to perform a task. When capacity is exceeded, cognitive overload occurs, which can negatively affect fine motor and communication skills. Surgical sabermetrics is an emerging field, which focuses on advanced analytics of data derived from audiovisual recordings of operations and non-invasive physiological sensors measuring surgeon CogL. Incivility is prevalent across surgical specialties and has been shown to negatively influence morale, teamwork and performance. Little is known about the impact of CogL on trainee surgeon development, and a gap in knowledge is the impact of intraoperative trainer teaching style and behavior on trainee CogL. Simulation models provide an opportunity to instigate a sabermetrics framework to assess whether trainer behavior objectively impacts trainee CogL and surgical performance, with no risk to patient safety. In this randomized trial, vascular surgery residents will be allocated to one of two groups: supportive trainer or critical trainer. All participants will be tasked with completing a standardized, simulated vascular anastomosis using a femoral artery model, during which they will be exposed to one of these trainer behaviors. A sabermetrics framework will be utilized to collate objective data about participant technical performance, non-technical skills and CogL. Full ethical approval has been obtained for this study. Dissemination of the results will be through conferences and publications in peer reviewed journals.