Successful Mentorship in TLH
Progress in the field of medicine over the last century has been highly correlated to technological advancements – from new training methods, to patient care with sophisticated equipment and techniques that allow doctors to operate on the brain and heart to everyday clinical practice, technology has become a ubiquitous presence for healthcare professionals. However, in a world so inundated with the calculated but cold precision of technology, it is important that we also remember to balance the more human aspects of the medical profession, one of which is mentorship. A great example of the melding of these two factors within our own Department is the participation and experiences of Drs. Vincent Wu and Herbert Wong in a surgical preceptorship program supported by Covidien that aims to help train gynaecologic surgeons in community hospital to become confident and proficient in performing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomies (TLH).
Dr. Herbert Wong (left) and Dr. Vincent Wu (Right)
Dr. Wong, who has been participating in this preceptor program since 2011, took on the mentor role because he believes that despite the prevalence of workshops and courses that teach TLH “This type of one-on-one mentorship is much more effective in allowing surgeons to actually incorporate new procedures into their practice. The benefit of operating in the learner’s home hospital is that [the mentor] can help the surgeon customize the technique for a new procedure utilizing the specific available hospital resources such as staff, specific equipment, etc. We concentrate on patient safety, surgical efficiency, ergonomics, and troubleshooting. This detailed and highly customized approach instills a greater confidence in the surgeon to continue performing and developing the new procedure after the mentorship period has ended.”
On the other side of the table, Dr. Wu was motivated to participate in the program because he understood that laparoscopic hysterectomy is just another medical technology that has become a standard of care. After attending an SOGC conference in 2010, during which he attended a TLH course where Dr. Wong was the preceptor, Dr. Wu decided to get in touch regarding a preceptorship, where he could obtain one-on-one learning in operating techniques and guidance on operation room set-up for TLH. From his side, Dr. Wu says that “the one-on-one preceptorship is essential for me to learn the proper technique for the procedure which will ensure safe patient care being provided. Dr. Wong's invaluable preceptorship has not only helped me acquire the skill set for TLH but also benefitted women in my community as they can access to this advanced laparoscopic procedure in our local hospital."
While the benefits of technological advances are undeniable, it is also important that we recognize the key importance of mentorship so well displayed by Herb. Congratulations to you both!