Performance Data Advocacy for Continuing Professional Development in Health Professions.

Efforts to optimize continuing professional development (CPD) are ongoing and include advocacy for the use of clinician performance data. Several educational and quality-based frameworks support the use of performance data to achieve intended improvement outcomes. Although intuitively appealing, the role of performance data for CPD has been uncertain and its utility mainly assumed.

Establishing validity evidence for device-assisted advanced laparoscopic suturing tasks using simulation.

Background: Laparoscopic suturing (LS) is an essential technique required for a wide range of procedures, and it is one of the most challenging for surgical trainees to master. We designed and collected validity evidence for advanced LS tasks using an automated suturing device and evaluated the perceived educational value of the tasks.

Methods: This project was a multicentre prospective study involving McGill University, University of Toronto (UofT), and Louisiana State University (LSU) Health New Orleans.

Development of a simulation curriculum to teach and assess advanced laparoscopic suturing skills using telesimulation: a feasibility study.

Background: Telesimulation helps overcome limitations in time and local expertise by eliminating the need for the learner and educator to be physically co-located, especially important during COVID-19. We investigated whether teaching advanced laparoscopic suturing (ALS) through telesimulation is feasible, effective, and leads to improved suturing in the operating room (OR).

Methods: In this prospective feasibility study, three previously developed 3D-printed ALS tasks were used: needle handling (NH), suturing under tension (UT), and continuous suturing (CS).

Defining the key skills required to perform advanced laparoscopic procedures: a qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Simulation is widely used to teach and assess fundamental laparoscopic skills; however, program directors have reported that current simulation programs do not meet the needs for trainees and surgeons learning advanced laparoscopic procedures (ALP). The purpose of our study was to identify the key skills required to perform ALP, to serve as the basis to establish an advanced laparoscopic skills training program.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with attending surgeons, fellows, and senior residents in general surgery, gynaecology, and urology.

Preventing opioid prescription after major surgery: a scoping review of opioid-free analgesia.

Background: Excessive opioid prescribing after surgery has been recognised as a contributor to the current crisis of opioid addiction and overdose. Clinicians may potentially tackle this crisis by using opioid-free postoperative analgesia; however, the scientific literature addressing this approach is sparse and heterogeneous, thereby limiting robust conclusions. A scoping review was conducted to systematically map the extent, range, and nature of the literature addressing postoperative opioid-free analgesia.