Mastering the art of surgery is a journey that combines theoretical knowledge with expert hands-on practice. Traditionally, surgical education has relied on face-to-face teaching and conventional textbooks. However, the advent of the digital age has ushered in a new era of learning, the power of online video-based education.
A study has shown the incredible potential of video-based virtual education for surgical students. In particular, an online-only, virtual curriculum has proven not only feasible but also highly effective in undergraduate surgical education. Two groups were put on a test, one group who had access to a video-based online platform reached significantly higher scores in the written exams than the other group who had only access to standard surgical textbooks. [1] This approach is changing the way advancements in surgical practices are disseminated to the surgeons of tomorrow.
However, in the quest for knowledge, many medical students and surgical trainees turn to platforms like YouTube, where countless surgical videos are readily available even though they lack accreditation and quality control. Anyone can upload a video, and the content is sorted primarily by popularity rather than educational value.
A study revealed that even some of the highest-ranked surgical videos on YouTube exhibit suboptimal techniques, unsafe maneuvers, and a glaring absence of crucial information regarding patient selection, surgical anatomy, and complications. This leaves surgical trainees with incomplete knowledge and potentially harmful practices. [2]
This is where legitimate surgical platforms come into play. Just like CSurgeries, a physician-owned and operated platform that serves as a centralized hub for peer-reviewed surgical videos, webinars, and resources across various medical disciplines. With a global community of over 300 contributors from 40 different countries, it provides diverse perspectives and expertise that enrich surgical proficiency among medical professionals, surgical trainees, and students alike. The use of these video-based online platforms in surgical education gives a simple, accessible, cost-effective, and interactive way for teachers and students to engage in professional surgical education. [3]
Through standardized videos and rigorous peer review, it proves to be a valuable addition to traditional surgical curricula. This will not just improve test scores, but enhance self-reported surgical knowledge, better-prepared students, and easier access to vital information. [2]
Driven by the digital age, the potential of online surgical video-based learning platforms will be limitless. As we move forward, let’s continue to support and explore innovative avenues to ensure that the surgeons of tomorrow receive the highest quality of education.
1. Schmitz, S.M., Schipper, S., Lemos, M. et al. Development of a tailor‐made surgical online learning platform, ensuring surgical education in times of the COVID19 pandemic. BMC Surg 21, 196 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-021-01203-5
2. Selten, J.W., Nazari, T., Andriessen, E.H. et al. Standardized videos in addition to the surgical curriculum in Medical Education for surgical clerkships: a cohort study. BMC Med Educ 22, 384 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03314-w
3. El Boghdady, M., Ewalds-Kvist, B.M. & Alijani, A. A review of online platforms in training and surgical education. Eur Surg 51, 41–48 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10353-019-0569-x
