Shared Mental Model in VATS Lobectomy

Since the introduction of video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy more than 25 years ago, the focus for thoracic surgeons has been to enhance the surgeon’s technical skills. This has been implemented with success across the world, and a minimal invasive approach to lung cancer is standard of care in many units today. However, major intraoperative complications occur occasionally. To improve patient outcome and safety, it is important that the entire team perform at a high level.

Teamwork and nontechnical skills are mandatory for the team to be successful. A shared mental model is a knowledge structure that enables team members to form accurate explanations, expectations, coordination of actions, and adaptation of behavior to the demands of the task and other team members. In other words: “all team members must be on the same page for optimal performance.” The author also presents results from a nationwide study in Denmark.

References

1. Gjeraa K, Dieckmann P, Spanager L, et al. Exploring shared mental models of surgical teams in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy. Ann Thorac Surg. 2019 Mar;107(3):954-961.
2. Petersen RH, Gjeraa K, Jensen K, Møller LB, Hansen HJ, Konge L. Assessment of competence in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy: A Danish nationwide study. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018 Oct;156(4):1717-1722.
3. Gjeraa K, Mundt AS, Spanager L, et al. Important non-technical skills in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy: team perspectives. Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Jul;104(1):329-335.
4. Gjeraa K, Spanager L, Konge L, Petersen RH, Østergaard D. Non-technical skills in minimally invasive surgery teams: a systematic review. Surg Endosc. 2016 Dec;30(12):5185-5199.

Dr Petersen receives a speaker fee from Medtronic.

This video is part of the series Nontechnical Skills in Cardiothoracic Surgery, brought to you by CTSNet Guest Editor Professor Jean-Marc Baste. Find the whole series here.