Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34904648›Full record

SynthesisBJS open2021

Cognitive task analysis-based training in surgery: a meta-analysis.

Thomas C Edwards, Alexander W Coombs, Bartosz Szyszka, Kartik Logishetty, Justin P Cobb

Open access · goldAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BJS open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
12citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.3field-weighted citation impact, top 11% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

12 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 21 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Use of Operative Video Technology in Surgical Education: A Systematic Review.Annals of surgery open : perspectives of surgical history, education, and clinical approaches · 2026
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Review
  10. Cognitive ergonomics and robotic surgery.Journal of robotic surgery · 2024
    Review
  11. Article
  12. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Thomas C EdwardsMSk Lab, Imperial College London, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-6515-070X
Alexander W CoombsMSk Lab, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Bartosz SzyszkaMSk Lab, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Kartik LogishettyMSk Lab, Imperial College London, London, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-0469-9539
Justin P CobbMSk Lab, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Imperial College London · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundReduced hands-on operating experience has challenged the development of complex decision-making skills for modern surgical trainees. Cognitive task analysis- (CTA-)based training is a methodical solution to extract the intricate cognitive processes of experts and impart this information to novices. Its use has been successful in high-risk industries such as the military and aviation, though its application for learning surgery is more recent. This systematic review aims to synthesize the evidence evaluating the efficacy of CTA-based training to enable surgeons to acquire procedural skills and knowledge.

methodsThe PRISMA guidelines were followed. Four databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane CENTRAL, were searched from inception to February 2021. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating the training effect of CTA-based interventions on novices' procedural knowledge or technical performance were included. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model.

resultsThe initial search yielded 2205 articles, with 12 meeting the full inclusion criteria. Seven studies used surgical trainees as study subjects, four used medical students and one study used a combination. Surgical trainees enrolled into CTA-based training groups had enhanced procedural knowledge (standardized mean difference (SMD) 1.36 (95 per cent c.i. 0.67 to 2.05), P < 0.001) and superior technical performance (SMD 2.06 (95 per cent c.i. 1.17 to 2.96), P < 0.001) in comparison with groups that used conventional training methods.

conclusionCTA-based training is an effective way to learn the cognitive skills of a surgical procedure, making it a useful adjunct to current surgical training.

Indexed as

CognitionHumans

Identifiers

PMID34904648
PMCPMC8669793
OpenAlexW4200531057

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.