Utilizing a surgical sabermetrics framework during major haemorrhage simulation to assess trainee cognitive load and performance

Abstract Vascular surgery training programs lack high-fidelity simulation for management of major haemorrhage, despite it being a fundamental and demanding skill. Cognitive load (CogL) is the finite working memory resource required to meet the demands of a task. Cognitive overload occurs when demand exceeds capacity, and this can negatively affect both technical and non-technical skills in surgery. Surgical Sabermetrics is an evolving field focusing on the advanced analytics of data derived from procedural audiovisual recordings and non-invasive physiological sensors measuring surgeon CogL. The planned simulation will assess surgical trainee management of major haemorrhage from a femoral artery model in a high-fidelity simulated operating room. It will immediately follow on from a separate but related simulation in which trainees are subjected to either critical or supportive trainer behavior during a routine femoral anastomosis. The study aims to assess whether prior exposure to incivility impacts trainee performance or cognition when independently managing a high pressure major bleeding scenario. A sabermetrics framework will be utilized to collate objective data about participant technical performance, non-technical skills and CogL. Full ethical approval has been obtained for this study. Dissemination of the results will be through conferences and publications in peer reviewed journals.