Telepathy: maximizing resident exposure to surgical pathology decision making
Received 24 February 2005; received in revised form 12 September 2005
Abstract
Background
General surgery residents are often not present for the critical intraoperative discussion between surgeon and pathologist regarding surgical pathology findings.
Methods
A prospective pilot study analyzed general surgery resident exposure to surgical pathology. Thereafter, an operating room was equipped to view frozen section images in real time and verbally communicate with the pathologist (TelePATHy). Total operative cases, cases using frozen sections, and use of TelePATHy were recorded.
Results
Most residents (78%) reported they were exposed to frozen-section surgical pathology ≤10% of the time. Overall, 202 operations were performed over the 123-day period. Forty-four cases had frozen-section specimens. General surgery residents were present for 40 cases. TelePATHy was successfully used in 32 cases (80%).
Conclusions
General surgery resident exposure to intraoperative pathology findings increased from a reported ≤10% to an observed 80%. TelePATHy is a novel intraoperative tool capable of maximizing the intraoperative experience of the surgical resident.
ABSTRACT