Virtual teaching of paediatric surgical skills during the COVID-19 pandemic: a feasibility report

INTRODUCTION The provision of surgical training worldwide has been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the UK, associations and medical bodies have been trying to introduce innovative measures to ensure continuity of training and progression of medical professionals. In order to mitigate the training disruption caused by the pandemic, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of virtual teaching of bowel anastomosis in paediatric surgery. METHODS A paediatric surgery surgical skills day was held, during which the teaching was delivered virtually via the MedAll platform. Candidates were divided into pairs according to their level of training and one faculty member was allocated to each pair. The surgical task consisted of a small bowel anastomosis, which was performed on a model made of scuba bodycon fabric to simulate the layers of the bowel wall. A pre-course demonstration video and the required surgical equipment were provided to the candidates in advance. Candidate satisfaction was audited using a post-course questionnaire. RESULTS Seventeen candidates attended the course and thirteen completed the post-course survey. Training grades ranged from medical student to junior doctor. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents felt that the pre-course material was satisfactory. Ninety-two per cent found the pre-course video helpful to understand the task. Ninety-two per cent stated that the high candidate-to-faculty ratio (2:1) benefited their learning experience. Seventy-seven per cent found the virtual experience to be beneficial to their surgical skills development. CONCLUSIONS Virtual teaching may offer a useful adjunct to traditional methods of surgical training in paediatric surgery, especially in circumstances when face-to-face simulation learning is not feasible.