Surgical procedure logging with use of a hand-held computer.
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Date
2002-10-21
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of incorporating hand held computing technology in a surgical residency program by means of hand held devices for surgical procedure logging linked through the Internet to a central database SETTING Division of General Surgery University of Toronto DESIGN A survey of general surgery residents METHODS The 69 residents in the general surgery training program received hand held computers with preinstalled medical programs and a program designed for surgical procedure logging Procedural data were uploaded via the Internet to a central database Survey data were collected regarding previous computer use as well as previous procedure logging methods MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Utilization of the procedure logging system RESULTS After a 5 month pilot period 38 of surgical residents were using the procedure logging program successfully and on a regular basis Program use was higher among more junior trainees Analysis of the database provided valuable information on individual trainees hospital programs and supervising surgeons data that would assist in program development CONCLUSIONS Hand held devices can be implemented in a large division of general surgery to provide a reference database and a procedure logging platform However user acceptance is not uniform and continued training and support are necessary to increase acceptance The procedure database provides important information for optimizing trainees educational experience