Omar Y Kudsi, MD, MBA, FACS1, Christopher G Myers2, Amir A Ghaferi, MD, MS, FACS3, Eugene O Dickens, MD, FACS4, Thomas J Swope, MD, FACS5. 1Tufts University School of Medicine, Good Samaritan Medical Center, 2Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety & Quality, Johns Hopkins University, 3Institute of Health Care Policy & Innovation, University of Michigan Medical School, 4Hillcrest Medical Center, 5Mercy Medical Center
Introduction: Substantial research has noted that coactive vicarious learning – learning through in-depth discursive interaction with another person, rather than through one-way dissemination of their experiences – is particularly important for sharing complex knowledge and skills. International Hernia Collaboration, a Facebook group was a proof of concept demonstrating that Facebook groups could be used for professional global collaboration paving the way for creation of RSC. Surgeons have long engaged in face-to-face conversations with colleagues to learn, but as the field continues to grow and disperse, opportunities for these interactions may become restricted.
Methods: We analyzed a professional, closed Facebook “group” focused on robotic surgery “Robotic Surgery Collaboration” from its inception in January 2015 through August 2016. The group was established to provide a platform to help surgeons perform safe surgery, improve technique, and ultimately improve patient’s outcomes. Data were gathered using the Grytics program and ANOVAs were performed to compare the average number of posts created on different days of the week and the number of written “comments” (an active reaction) and “likes” (a passive acknowledgement) in response to posts of different types (i.e., links to outside content, text “statuses”, photos, and videos).
Results: Analysis of the first 602 days (Jan.8, 2015–Aug.31, 2016) of the group resulted in 1278 posts with an average 11.6 comments and 9.3 “likes” each. The average posts/day grew significantly over time from 0.1 to 3.9. Controlling for these monthly differences, we found average daily posts varied significantly by day-of-week (p<.001), with most posts on Wednesdays (avg=2.9) and fewest on Sundays (avg=1.2). There were also significant differences in the number of comments (i.e., active engagement; p<.001) and “likes” (i.e., passive acknowledgement; p<.001) by the type of post. Text statuses garnered the most comments (avg=11.5), followed by photo and video posts (avg=9.3 & 9.6, respectively), and links (avg=4.0). In contrast, photo posts generated the most “likes” (avg=16.2, p<.001), followed by videos and links (avg=8.6 & 6.2, respectively) and text statuses (avg=2.6).
Conclusion: Robotic Surgery Collaboration group provided a platform for surgeons to engage and learn vicariously from others’ experiences. Posts were incorporated into working hours with text “statuses” generating active engagement and discussion, while photos were associated mostly with passive reactions and less discourse. Creating a professional Facebook group that individuals recognize as the gathering place for sharing ideas and experiences lays the foundation to encourage vicarious learning and could lead to a paradigm shift in education.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 78696
Program Number: P291
Presentation Session: Poster (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster
