Abstract
Laparoscopic techniques have become the standard for many benign and malignant colorectal
pathologies. Recently, the application of robotic-assisted technologies has been,
and continues to be, explored. These new technologies require different skill sets
and bring novel training challenges, and today's trainees must demonstrate competence
in more techniques than ever. Compounding this is the reducing time spent operating
in current training programs due to caps on working hours and service pressures.
The need for adjunctive training strategies outside the operating room has prompted
development of multimedia and digital resources to build the cognitive skills crucial
in both nontechnical and technical aspects of surgery. Many are based on principles
of cognitive task analysis, breaking down operations, and key decisions into nodal
points to be mentally rehearsed. Resources built on this technique have shown improvements
in both operative and nonoperative skills, suggesting these resources can advance
trainees along the learning curve in minimally invasive surgical techniques.
More work to fully elucidate the clinical benefits of such resources is required before
their role as a substitute for lost operative training hours can be established. Despite
this, alongside other developing technologies such as simulation, they are a promising
addition to the armamentarium of the modern-day colorectal trainee.
Keywords minimally invasive - colorectal - cognitive task analysis - digital resource
