Surgical Education Platform

About

Short Description     Researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a novel platform for surgical education that they believe will revolutionize the way resident and practicing surgeons access learning and preparatory materials. OrthoVid is a software platform that allows surgeons and surgical residents to (1) capture video of their operative procedures with the use of head mounted cameras, (2) seamlessly upload and store their surgical video and associated x-ray images to a database with internet website and mobile phone application, and (3) ask for peer review and coaching on their surgical technique from other surgeons at their home institution and at other institutions through the web and mobile applications.       Background Information Currently, surgeons and surgical trainees have no formal means of revisiting intraoperative skills and procedures post-surgery. Video documentation and subsequent display of surgical video has the potential to substantially improve the surgical education process and maintenance of surgical skills. Moreover, there is no definitive way for surgeons and surgeon trainees to seek different points of view or feedback concerning their surgical techniques, whether it be from surgeons at their home institution or from respected surgeons at external institutions. Some surgeons receive large fees to give lectures and instructional courses to other paying surgeons who wish to learn new techniques and improve operatory skill. Given the affordable means to obtain, store and display surgical video via Internet and mobile phone applications, researchers at the University of Iowa recognize an opportunity to create a new marketplace where surgeons can learn and hone surgical techniques without ever having to leave their home institution. Benefits Cost effective; Allows users to revisit procedures performed and skills utilised; Allows users to learn new techniques and improve surgical skills