Can residents detect errors in technique while observing central line insertions?

Background: Procedural teaching and the ability to detect and correct errors are important components of surgical education. This study evaluates whether review of an instructional video will improve residents' ability to detect errors. We hypothesized that clinical experience and confidence do not correlate with ability to detect errors.

Methods: Participants were randomized to 2 groups: the study group viewed an instructional video demonstrating correct technique, whereas the control group did not view the instructional video. Forty general surgery residents described errors in technique during an ultrasound-guided right internal jugular vein catheterization pre and post randomization.

Results: Participants who viewed the video improved their error identification rate by 72.6% (P < .001). No correlation between postgraduate year or confidence in error detection and the actual ability to detect errors was noted (r = .17 and r = .14 respectively).

Conclusions: Experience and seniority may not be sufficient to detect procedural errors during central line insertion. Instructional videos improve error recognition.