Telementoring: an application whose time has come.
BACKGROUND
Telementoring offers the possibility of making extended education oversight available on a cost-effective, large-scale basis. It expands the mentor/proctor pool and makes these educational assets more widely available to assist in protecting the public. However, it is an application that if haphazardly implemented rapidly losses its effectiveness and is more dangerous to the patient. Like all programs that can cite demonstrable outcome consistency, telementoring should be established on a foundation of sound training methodology. This article discusses the history of telementoring and where this modality stands today and outlines a validated methodology for successful telementoring missions.


METHODS
This algorithm includes preprocedural assessment and enhancement of laparoscopic surgical skills, establishment of a standardized approach to the procedure, tactical information deployment, telementoring simulation laboratories, and establishment of the doctor/patient relationship.


RESULTS
Telementoring can make cost-effective extended education oversight available on a large-scale basis.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of an overwhelming need for mentors/proctors and supporting evidence in the literature, telementoring is an application whose time has come.
Rosser
James C
JC
Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. jrosser@chpnet.org
Young
Steven M
SM
Klonsky
Jonathan
J
D020375:Education, Distance; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards; D008611:Mentors; D017216:Telemedicine