Surgical procedure logging with use of a hand-held computer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of incorporating hand-held computing technology in a surgical residency program, by means of hand-held devices for surgical procedure logging linked through the Internet to a central database.


METHODS
Division of General Surgery, University of Toronto.


METHODS
A survey of general surgery residents.


METHODS
The 69 residents in the general surgery training program received hand-held computers with preinstalled medical programs and a program designed for surgical procedure logging. Procedural data were uploaded via the Internet to a central database. Survey data were collected regarding previous computer use as well as previous procedure logging methods.


METHODS
Utilization of the procedure logging system.


RESULTS
After a 5-month pilot period, 38% of surgical residents were using the procedure-logging program successfully and on a regular basis. Program use was higher among more junior trainees. Analysis of the database provided valuable information on individual trainees, hospital programs and supervising surgeons, data that would assist in program development.


CONCLUSIONS
Hand-held devices can be implemented in a large division of general surgery to provide a reference database and a procedure-logging platform. However, user acceptance is not uniform and continued training and support are necessary to increase acceptance. The procedure database provides important information for optimizing trainees' educational experience.
Fischer
Sandra
S
Mount Sinai Hospital and Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Ont.
Lapinsky
Stephen E
SE
Weshler
Jason
J
Howard
Frazer
F
Rotstein
Lorne E
LE
Cohen
Zane
Z
Stewart
Thomas E
TE
D001292:Attitude to Computers; D003200:Computer User Training; D034201:Computers, Handheld / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000295:instrumentation