In March 2022, RACS received funding from the Australian Department of Health Specialist Training Program (STP) for a two and a half-year project on developing a program for video coaching with the aim of improving consultant surgeon’s non-technical skills in rural settings. This project is aligned with the ‘Train for Rural’ section of the Rural Health Equity Strategy. The project is supported by a Working Group which has members from the Rural Health Equity Steering Committee, the Board in General Surgery Australia, a Surgical Education and Training (SET) Trainee and the Rural Surgery Section.
The project: STP Asynchronous Video Coaching in Rural Settings
Consultant surgeons will be video recorded in three settings: outpatient consultations, ward rounds, and in the operating theatre. A coaching session is provided to participants to assist them in identifying strengths and weaknesses, and to develop an action plan for the improvement of non-technical skills. The video sessions and coaching will be repeated, followed by a final round of video recording. All video recordings will be assessed by independent video assessors using relevant global rating scales. The ratings will be compared quantitatively to determine if there is an improvement in surgeons’ non-technical skills subsequent to coaching and over time.
The project commenced in March 2022 and will be completed by September 2024. To date, approximately 25% of participants have completed all video and coaching activities; the remaining participants will complete the program over the coming 4-6 months. The research sites include hospitals in South Australia, and at Wagga Wagga.
The opportunity
The Working Group has identified an opportunity for a pre-vocational doctor or medical student interested in surgery, or RACS SET Trainee to assist with various aspects of the project. Tasks include:
• Assistance with data collection, as needed
• Working with a statistician to analyse and interpret the results of the video assessments
• Write up the project findings, in a report to be delivered to the Australian Government
• Pending approval from the Australian Government, work with the Principal Investigator, Associate Investigators and Working Group to publish one or more manuscripts based on the project findings
Unfortunately, financial compensation is not available.
Please provide:
• A cover letter including your relevant knowledge, experience and interest in this area and your capacity to contribute to this project over the coming 9-12 months
• A copy of your CV
• The names and contact details of 2 referees
Submissions should be provided by 11.59pm Tuesday 9 January 2024. Any late submissions will not be accepted. Candidates will be shortlisted and selected by the Working Group. If needed, interviews will take place by the end of January 2024. We expect the successful candidate to be notified by February 2024.
