Resident Education on the Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures Using a Point-of-View Camera

Background: In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, surgical resident education depends largely on virtual materials. With the help of point-of-view (POV) cameras, educational videos have become widely used for surgical training. A video recorded from the surgeon's POV helps demonstrate the procedure. We made training movies of the surgical approach to distal radius frac- tures for residents using a head-mounted video recording system with a laser point targeting device (LPTD).Methods: A 15-minnute movie of the trans-flexor carpi radialis approach for distal radius fractures was made. A POV camera was assembled with an LPTD and strapped on the surgeon's head. This enabled maintenance of the surgical field while recording the procedure. A shorter version of the clip was also made to investigate trainee preference. We asked 24 trainees to watch the two versions of the video and complete a short questionnaire.Results: All trainees felt that the movie made with a POV camera was more efficient than existing materials. Only 1 (4.2%) felt that the laser pointer hindered the view. Four of the 23 trainees (16.7%) felt dizzy while watching the video. Of the two versions, 16 trainees (66.7%) preferred the shorter, edited version. The average score for the video was 8.42 out of 10.Conclusions: A video recording system in the operating room that uses an LPTD-POV camera is an efficient way to produce edu- cational material, particularly for surgical residents during the COVID-19 era.

Automated summary

In the COVID-19 era, surgical resident education relies heavily on virtual materials. Educational videos made with POV cameras have become widely used for surgical training to demonstrate procedures. This study used a head-mounted video recording system with a laser point targeting device (LPTD) to make training movies on the surgical approach to distal radius fractures, and found that the majority of trainees believed that the videos made with a POV camera were more efficient.