Watch what happens: Using a web-based multimedia platform to enhance intraoperative learning and development of clinical reasoning

Background We aim to determine whether observed operations or internet-based video review predict improved performance in the surgery clerkship. Methods A retrospective review of students' usage of surgical videos, observed operations, evaluations, and examination scores were used to construct an exploratory principal component analysis. Multivariate regression was used to determine factors predictive of clerkship performance. Results Case log data for 231 students revealed a median of 25 observed cases. Students accessed the web-based video platform a median of 15 times. Principal component analysis yielded 4 factors contributing 74% of the variability with a Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient of.83. Multivariate regression predicted shelf score (P <.0001), internal clinical skills examination score (P <.0001), subjective evaluations (P <.001), and video website utilization (P <.001) but not observed cases to be significantly associated with overall performance. Conclusions Utilization of a web-based operative video platform during a surgical clerkship is an independently associated with improved clinical reasoning, fund of knowledge, and overall evaluation. Thus, this modality can serve as a useful adjunct to live observation.