Live-Streaming Surgery for Medical Student Education - Educational Solutions in Neurosurgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered medical student education. The ability for students to be a part of the operating room team was highly restricted. Technology can be used to ensure ongoing surgical education during this time of limited in-person educational opportunities.

DESIGN

We have developed an innovative solution of securely live-streaming surgery with real-time communication between the surgeon and students to allow for ongoing education during the pandemic.

RESULTS

We successfully live-streamed multiple different types of neurosurgical operations utilizing multiple video sources. This method uses inexpensive, universal equipment that can be implemented at any institution to enable virtual education of medical students and other learners.

CONCLUSIONS

This technology has facilitated education during this challenging time. This technological set-up for live-streaming surgery has the potential of improving medical and graduate medical education in the future.