Pilot application of Lecture-Panel-Discussion Model (LPDM) in global collaborative neurosurgical education: a novel training paradigm innovated by the Swedish African Neurosurgery Collaboration

Background: Disruptions in global surgery educational routines by the COVID-19 pandemic have elicited demands for alternative formats for rendering qualitative neurosurgical education. This study presents application of a novel model of online neurosurgical course, the Lecture-Panel-Discussion Model (LPDM).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of participants who attended the Swedish African Neurosurgery Collaboration (SANC)-100A course. Participants evaluated the course through an online self-administered questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from very poor-1, poor-2, average (fair)-3, good-4, to excellent-5. SANC-100A comprises a tripod of Lectures, Panel review, and interactive case Discussion. This model (LPDM) was innovated by SANC and applied at the Enugu International Neurosurgery course in February 2021.

Results: There were 71 attendees, 19 were course faculty, while 52 were participants. Thirty-five attended from Nigeria, 11 from Sweden, 3 from Malawi, 2 from Senegal, and 1 from the UK. Among 44 participants who completed the questionnaire, there were 9 fellows and 35 residents. The overall median course Likert rating was 4.65 ± 0.1. The median overall rating for course events was similar between day 1 (Likert score = 4.45) and day 2 (Likert score = 4.55), U = 55, Z score = 1.10, P = 0.27. The median rating for lectures was 4.50 ± 0.2 and varied from 4.40 on day 1 to 4.55 on day 2. The median rating for panel review was 4.60 ± 0.1 and varied from 4.55 on day 1 to 4.65 on day 2. Interactive case discussions were rated 4.80 on both course days. There was a significant variability in the rating profiles of the course tripod: U = 24.5, P = 0.03. Fifty-one (98%) participants believe LPDM was COVID-19-compliant, while 90% believe the course was beneficial to training and practice.

Conclusion: Initial application of LPDM is rewarded with both high acceptance and high rating among participants.