Exposure and Reception of Surgery Live-Streaming Technology in Undergraduate Medical Education

Abstract

Virtual education has undergone rapid development during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. Surgical live-streaming is one such virtual format that can provide invaluable learning, particularly when limited by distance or contact restrictions. This study aimed to explore the current exposure level and reception of surgical live-stream opportunities in undergraduate medical students. An invitation to participate in an anonymous survey was sent to the McMaster University undergraduate medical education program’s class of 2026 (n = 221) of. The survey consisted of preliminary questions indicating the degree of exposure to livestreaming participation, and two different sets of questionnaires that were assigned depending on presence or absence of prior participation. 22 (10%) students participated in and completed the survey. 21 (95%) students indicated that they were unaware of any live streaming opportunities, and 22 (100%) students indicated absence of prior participation in virtual surgical livestreaming. Interest level in attending a live-stream event given the opportunity was “High” or “Very High” for 19 (86.4%) students. Such results show that while there currently is insufficient opportunity for medical students to participate in surgical live streaming, there is ample interest. Further, live streaming was preferred as an adjunct to, rather than a replacement for, in-person opportunities in 77.3% of students. We hope that the results of this study will be able to assist the educational planners and other stakeholders in medical education to consider the appropriate application of surgical live streaming in future curricula.