title: Use of Google Glass to Enhance Surgical Education of Neurosurgery Residents: "Proof-of-Concept" Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relatively decreased time spent in the operating room and overall reduction in cases performed by neurosurgical trainees as a result of duty-hour restrictions demands that the pedagogical content within each surgical encounter be maximized and crafted toward the specific talents and shortcomings of the individual. It is imperative to future generations that the quality of training adapts to the changing administrative infrastructures and compensates for anything that may compromise the technical abilities of trainees. Neurosurgeons in teaching hospitals continue to experiment with various emerging technologies-such as simulators and virtual presence-to supplement and improve surgical training.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors participated in the Google Glass Explorer Program in order to assess the applicability of Google Glass as a tool to enhance the operative education of neurosurgical residents. Google Glass is a type of wearable technology in the form of eyeglasses that employs a high-definition camera and allows the user to interact using voice commands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Google Glass was able to effectively capture video segments of various lengths for residents to review in a variety of clinical settings within a large, tertiary care university hospital, as well as during a surgical mission to a developing country. The resolution and quality of the video were adequate to review and use as a teaching tool.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While Google Glass harbors the potential to dramatically improve both neurosurgical education and practice in a variety of ways, certain technical drawbacks of the current model limit its effectiveness as a teaching tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA. Electronic address: jonathan.nakhla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakhla
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kobets
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Rafeal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De la Garza Ramos
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haranhalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Yaroslav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gelfand
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ammar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Murray
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Echt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Aleka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scoco
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Merritt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kinon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yassari
mesh_terms: D005139:Eyeglasses; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D008838:Microcomputers; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: Google Glass; Neurosurgical training; Resident education; Surgical training