The impact of trainer behaviour on trainee cognitive load and performance during vascular surgery simulation
This study aims to understand how different trainer behaviours affect surgical trainees. Researchers wanted to see if a rude trainer or a supportive one made a difference to how well trainees learned and performed their tasks in a pretend operating theatre. Surgical trainees from 20 to 50 years old with a specific training number could take part. They were split into two groups, one experiencing a rude trainer and the other a supportive one, while performing surgical tasks. The study measured their mental effort using special sensors and surveys, and experts watched videos to judge their practical skills and teamwork. The findings hope to make surgical training better, improve staff well-being, and ultimately enhance patient safety.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine you're learning a new skill, especially something as important as surgery. How your teacher behaves can make a big difference, right? This study explores just that for vascular (blood vessel) surgery trainees. It's trying to find out if a trainer who acts rudely affects a trainee's ability to learn and perform surgical tasks more negatively than a trainer who is pleasant and supportive.
The researchers set up a pretend operating room, like a practice area for surgeons. They watched how trainees performed tasks and measured their mental effort using special sensors and surveys. They also had experts review videos of the sessions. The team wanted to see if bad behaviour from trainers makes it harder for trainees to focus and do well, compared to good behaviour. The hope is that understanding this will help create better training environments.
Ultimately, the goal of this research is to make surgical training better for everyone involved. If we understand how trainer behaviour impacts trainees, we can work towards making training more effective and supportive. This could lead to happier trainees, better skilled surgeons, and ultimately, safer care for patients in the future.
Key takeaways
- The study looked at how different trainer behaviours affect surgical trainees.
- It compared rude vs. supportive trainers in a mock operating room.
- Researchers measured trainees' mental effort and performance.
- The aim is to improve surgical training, staff well-being, and patient safety.
- Participation involved a simulated task and completing surveys.
Who may be eligible?
To be able to take part in this study, you needed to be a vascular surgery trainee who works in the United Kingdom or Ireland. You also had to have a specific National Training Number, which shows you are part of an approved training programme.
However, you couldn't join the study if you already knew any of the actors who were playing the trainers in the simulated operating theatre. This was to make sure everyone had a fresh, unbiased experience. Also, if you were a vascular trainee but didn't have a National Training Number, you wouldn't have been eligible.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you a vascular surgery trainee?
- Do you have a National Training Number in the UK or Ireland?
- Are you between 20 and 50 years old?
- Do you not have pre-existing relationships with the actors in the simulation?
What does participation involve?
If you took part in this study, you would have completed a simulated surgical task in a pretend operating theatre. You would have been randomly assigned to one of two groups: one with a trainer who acted rudely, and another with a trainer who was supportive and helpful. While you were doing the task, special digital sensors would have measured things like your brain activity and heart rate to understand your mental effort. You would also have filled out surveys to share how you were feeling during the simulation.
Expert surgeons and academics then watched videos of your simulation to assess your practical skills, like how well you stitched and tied knots, and your 'non-technical' skills, such as how you communicated and worked as part of a team. The data collection for this study happened between September 2024 and September 2025, and your involvement would have been for the duration of your simulation session and survey completion.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (3)
- Annual SPecIalist Registrar Educational Programme (ASPIRE) 4City onlyCambridge, England
- Annual SPecIalist Registrar Educational Programme (ASPIRE) 6City onlyNewcastle upon Tyne, England
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little FranceCity onlyLothian, Scotland
Common questions
What is 'cognitive load' in simple terms?
It's like the mental effort or brain power needed to complete a task. The more difficult or stressful something is, the higher your cognitive load might be.
Why is it important to study trainer behaviour?
Understanding how trainers behave can help create better learning environments, reduce stress for trainees, and ultimately lead to more skilled and confident surgeons, which is good for patients.
What does a 'simulated operating theatre' mean?
It's a practice room set up to look and feel like a real operating theatre, but without actual patients. It's used for training and practicing surgical skills safely.
Who paid for this study?
The study was mainly funded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Circulation Foundation, with additional support from other organisations.
Will the results of this study be shared?
Yes, research results are usually published so that others in the medical community can learn from them and apply the findings to improve training practices.
How to find out more
Joel Norton
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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