title: Mental imagery and learning: a qualitative study in orthopaedic trauma surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Good preparation for surgical procedures has been linked to better performance and enhanced learning in the operating theatre. Mental imagery is increasingly used to enhance performance in competitive sport and there has been recent interest in applying this in surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to identify the mental imagery components of preoperative preparation in orthopaedic trauma surgery and to locate these practices in existing socio-material theory in order to produce a model useful for surgical skills training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine orthopaedic surgeons. Participants were identified by personal recommendation as regularly performing complex trauma operations to a high standard, and by affiliation to an international instruction course in trauma surgery. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcripts were independently analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis revealed that surgeons interact intensively with multiple colleagues and materials during their preparatory activities. Such interactions stimulate mental imagery in order to build strategy and rehearse procedures, which, in turn, stimulate preparatory interactions. Participants identified the discussion of a preoperative 'plan' as a key engagement tool for training junior surgeons and as a form of currency by which a trainee may increase his or her participation in a procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative preparation can be thought of as a socio-material ontology requiring a surgeon to negotiate imaginal, verbal and physical interactions with people, materials and his or her own mental imagery. Actor-network theory is useful for making sense of these interactions and for allowing surgeons to interrogate their own preparative processes. We recommend supervisors to use a form of preoperative plan as a teaching tool and to encourage trainees to develop their own preparatory skills. The ability of a trainee to demonstrate sound preparation is an indicator of readiness to perform a procedure.
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wexham Park Hospital, Slough, UK.
authors: Edward F
authors: EF
authors: Ibrahim
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Epworth Hospital, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Martin D
authors: MD
authors: Richardson
authors: HealthPEER/School of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Debra
authors: D
authors: Nestel
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007858:Learning; D017145:Models, Educational; D009873:Operating Rooms; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D066231:Surgeons / Q000523:psychology; D014796:Visual Perception