Christopher M Schlachta1, Ninh T Nguyen2, Todd Ponsky3, Brian Dunkin4. 1. Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics (CSTAR), University Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, London, N6A 5A5, Canada. christopher.schlachta@lhsc.on.ca. 2. University of California Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA. 3. Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, OH, USA. 4. Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Advances in telecommunications technology have facilitated telementoring initiatives that virtually link a mentor and mentee in the operating room and have shown significant promise in conferring high rates of safe procedure adoption. Recognizing that telementoring has the potential to be one solution to the global demand for what is sure to be a constant need for surgical retraining and safe incorporation of new technologies, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) convened the Project 6 Summit. METHODS: Content experts in minimally invasive surgery, surgical mentoring and telementoring, surgical education, business development, healthcare innovation, and regulation were invited to attend a two-day summit to outline the current state of surgical telementoring and chart the challenges and opportunities going forward. RESULTS: Five opportunity buckets consisting of: Legal and Regulatory, Business Development and Proving Value, Effective Communication and Education Requirements, Technology Requirements and Logistics were the subject of focused working groups and subsequent review and consensus by summit attendees. The current state-of-the-art and guiding principles are presented herein. CONCLUSION: Telementoring activities are poised for exponential growth but will require a coordinated effort by stakeholders working through and around a healthcare system not yet suited for this paradigm shift.
BACKGROUND: Advances in telecommunications technology have facilitated telementoring initiatives that virtually link a mentor and mentee in the operating room and have shown significant promise in conferring high rates of safe procedure adoption. Recognizing that telementoring has the potential to be one solution to the global demand for what is sure to be a constant need for surgical retraining and safe incorporation of new technologies, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) convened the Project 6 Summit. METHODS: Content experts in minimally invasive surgery, surgical mentoring and telementoring, surgical education, business development, healthcare innovation, and regulation were invited to attend a two-day summit to outline the current state of surgical telementoring and chart the challenges and opportunities going forward. RESULTS: Five opportunity buckets consisting of: Legal and Regulatory, Business Development and Proving Value, Effective Communication and Education Requirements, Technology Requirements and Logistics were the subject of focused working groups and subsequent review and consensus by summit attendees. The current state-of-the-art and guiding principles are presented herein. CONCLUSION: Telementoring activities are poised for exponential growth but will require a coordinated effort by stakeholders working through and around a healthcare system not yet suited for this paradigm shift.
Authors: Eszter Kovacs; Andrea E Schmidt; Gabor Szocska; Reinhard Busse; Martin McKee; Helena Legido-Quigley Journal: Clin Med (Lond) Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 2.659
Authors: Zhobin Moghadamyeghaneh; Joseph C Carmichael; Steven Mills; Alessio Pigazzi; Ninh T Nguyen; Michael J Stamos Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2015-10 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: Ninh T Nguyen; Allan Okrainec; Mehran Anvari; Brian Smith; Oz Meireles; Denise Gee; Erin Moran-Atkin; Evelyn Baram-Clothier; Diego R Camacho Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2017-07-17 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Siew Kim Ong; Grant T Donovan; Nayah Ndefru; Sophanna Song; Chhayheng Leang; Sophat Sek; Michael Noble; Lucy A Perrone Journal: Hum Resour Health Date: 2020-11-04