Innovations in Surgical Training: A Study on the Acceptance of Head-Mounted Smart Cameras : Perspectives from Surgical Workshops in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract: Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals is critical for improving access to safe surgery in low- and middle-income countries. Patient safety precautions in surgical training include restricting the number of trainees present in the operating room, imposing limitations on how many surgeons can be trained simultaneously. The use of head-mounted cameras is suggested as a means to enhance and make surgical training more accessible by enabling remote viewing of surgical procedures from the surgeon's point-of-view. This research explores healthcare professionals' acceptance of incorporating a head-mounted smart camera as a complementary tool in surgical training. The case study, conducted during three surgical training workshops in Kenya and Ethiopia, utilized a modified UTAUT model. Questionnaires and five semi-structured interviews were employed, revealing a high level of technology acceptance. While some drawbacks were noted, overall positivity was expressed. The smart camera did in many ways align well with the needs of surgeons and anesthesiologists. Challenges mainly revolved around facilitating conditions such as poor connectivity and costs. Although the smart camera in many aspects enhanced the efficiency of surgical training, the findings highlight its inability to fully replace direct observation in the operating room.