Use of GoPro point-of-view camera in intubation simulation-A randomized controlled trial

Wenjun Koh; Deborah Khoo; Ling Te Terry Pan; Lyn Li Lean; May-Han Loh; Tze Yuh Vanessa Chua; Lian Kah Ti

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243217

Use of GoPro point-of-view camera in intubation simulation-A randomized controlled trial

PLoS One. 2020 Dec 1;15(12):e0243217. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243217. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Wenjun Koh¹, Deborah Khoo², Ling Te Terry Pan², Lyn Li Lean², May-Han Loh², Tze Yuh Vanessa Chua², Lian Kah Ti^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anaesthesia, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
² Department of Anaesthesia, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.

Abstract

Introduction: Teaching endotracheal intubation is uniquely challenging due to its technical, high-stakes, and highly time-sensitive nature. The GoPro is a small, lightweight, high-resolution action camera with a wide-angle field of view that can encompass both the airway as well as the procedurist's hands and positioning technique when worn with a head mount. We aimed to evaluate its effectiveness in improving intubation teaching for novice learners in a simulated setting, via a two-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled superiority trial with 1:1 allocation ratio.

Methods: We recruited Year 4 medical students at the start of their compulsory 2-week Anesthesia posting. Participants underwent a standardized intubation curriculum and a formative assessment, then randomized to receive GoPro or non-GoPro led feedback. After a span of three months, participants were re-assessed in a summative assessment by blinded accessors. Participants were also surveyed on their learning experience for a qualitative thematic perspective. The primary outcomes were successful intubation and successful first-pass intubation.

Results: Seventy-one participants were recruited with no dropouts, and all were included in the analysis. 36 participants received GoPro led feedback, and 35 participants received non-GoPro led feedback. All participants successfully intubated the manikin. No statistically significant differences were found between the GoPro group and the non-GoPro group at summative assessment (85.3% vs 90.0%, p = 0.572). Almost all participants surveyed found the GoPro effective for their learning (98.5%). Common themes in the qualitative analysis were: the ability for an improved assessment, greater identification of small details that would otherwise be missed, and usefulness of the unique point-of-view footage in improving understanding.

Conclusions: The GoPro is a promising tool for simulation-based intubation teaching. There are considerations in its implementation to maximize the learning experience and yield from GoPro led feedback and training.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Anesthesiology / education*
Clinical Competence
Computer Simulation
Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods
Curriculum
Education, Medical, Undergraduate / methods*
Feedback
Female
Humans
Intubation, Intratracheal / methods*
Male
Photography / instrumentation*
Problem-Based Learning / methods
Singapore
Students, Medical
Young Adult

Grants and funding

The study was funded by National University of Singapore, Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning, under the Teaching Enhancement Grant, awarded to A/Prof. Dr. LK Ti. URL: http://nus.edu.sg/cdtl/professional-development/explore/teaching-enhancement-grants-(teg). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.