title: Affordable, web-based surgical skill training and evaluation tool.
abstract: Advances in the medical field have increased the need to incorporate modern techniques into surgical resident training and surgical skills learning. To facilitate this integration, one approach that has gained credibility is the incorporation of simulator based training to supplement traditional training programs. However, existing implementations of these training methods still require the constant presence of a competent surgeon to assess the surgical dexterity of the trainee, which limits the evaluation methods and relies on subjective evaluation. This research proposes an efficient, effective, and economic video-based skill assessment technique for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). It analyzes a surgeon's hand and surgical tool movements and detects features like smoothness, efficiency, and preciseness. The system is capable of providing both real time on-screen feedback and a performance score at the end of the surgery. Finally, we present a web-based tool where surgeons can securely upload MIS training videos and receive evaluation scores and an analysis of trainees' performance trends over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University, 13212 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States. Electronic address: gislam@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Gazi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: kanav.kahol@phfi.org.
authors.forename: Kanav
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kahol
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Arizona State University, 699 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, United States. Electronic address: Baoxin.li@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Baoxin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, 1111 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006, United States. Electronic address: mark.smith@bannerhealth.com.
authors.forename: Marshall
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University, 13212 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, United States; The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Ave, New York, NY, United States. Electronic address: vimla.patel@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Vimla L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis
keywords: Computer vision; Feature detection; Skill assessment; Surgery; Web-based evaluation tool