Pablo Picasso’s Advice For Video Vetting Of Endometriosis Surgeons

No one can argue that a surgeon’s skills significantly impact a patient’s surgical outcome. However, the challenge has always been finding a method to assess a surgeon’s skills. To answer this question, we combined evidence and common sense. It is common sense that when you plan to evaluate a performance, you watch it. Think of the Olympic gymnastics competition. The athlete performs, and a group of experts scores her on a scale of one to ten. 

How can we apply a similar method to endometriosis surgery to assess surgeons’ skills? To answer this study, a group of researchers published an article in the New England Journal of Medicine with an interesting solution. They showed that if a group of experts anonymously rates surgeons’ skills based on their surgical videos, the scores significantly correlate with fewer long-term complications. So the vetting idea was out there, and someone needed to be a great artist and follow Pablo Picasso’s advice: “Good artists copy; great artists steal.”

Understanding Endometriosis Patients: Challenges and Behaviors

The list of shortcomings in endometriosis care is prolonged. The long delays in diagnosis and treatments, failed treatments and surgeries, traumas, gaslighting, and many other issues exist. However, if there is one thing that has minimized the challenges, it is working with the right endometriosis expert early in the treatment journey. In today’s digital age, innovative methods are being introduced to enhance patients’ knowledge and access to high-quality care. However, it is not easy for a patient to know the surgical skills of a surgeon when they plan to do surgeries. They typically use proxy methods such as reviewing Instagram channels and Google reviews, talking to other patients, and looking at advocacy groups. They use these proxies to validate a surgeon’s skills, and we all know how easy it is to game the system and manipulate the outcomes of these proxies. For example, hundreds of tools and companies exist to help surgeons look good on Google Reviews, regardless of their true outcome and skills. Advocacy groups recommend doctors primarily based on their personal relationships, and they do not vet surgeons. So, patients can not confidently trust these resources and are looking for new resources.

Building Trust Through Video Vetting in Endometriosis Care

In endometriosis care, where patient trust is key, video vetting is a helpful way to build confidence and openness. This innovative approach not only showcases a surgeon’s expertise but also helps patients make more informed decisions about their care. The video vetting process offers a transparent and comprehensive means of assessing a doctor’s skills and expertise. By the end of this article, you’ll understand what video vetting is, why it’s significant for specialized fields like endometriosis surgery, and how it’s changing patients’ behaviors in finding their surgeons.

What is the Video Vetting Process for Endometriosis Surgeon Verification?

The video vetting process for endometriosis surgeon verification is a comprehensive and specialized approach designed to assess and validate surgeons’ skills. This process goes beyond traditional credentialing methods, offering a more nuanced and accurate evaluation of a surgeon’s capabilities.

Submission of Surgical Videos

The process begins with surgeons submitting videos of their endometriosis surgeries. These videos typically showcase procedures demonstrating the surgeon’s ability to handle stage II or higher endometriosis cases. Key areas of focus often include:

• Management of deep endometriosis

• Pelvic wall dissection techniques

• Endometrioma removal procedures

• Specialized areas such as diaphragm, bowel, or ureter for higher designation

Accompanying Documentation

Surgeons are required to submit corresponding operative and pathology reports along with the surgical videos. These documents provide crucial context to the procedures shown in the videos, offering insights into the surgeons’ decision-making process and the outcomes of their interventions.

Expert Review Process

Once submitted, the videos and accompanying documents undergo a rigorous review by a panel of expert endometriosis surgeons. This review is conducted anonymously to ensure objectivity. The experts assess various aspects of the surgeon’s performance, including:

• Surgical technique and precision
• Decision-making during complex situations
• Adherence to best practices in endometriosis surgery
• Management of potential complications

Here is an example of what the reviewers see: https://icarebetter.net/video-id-32×3/

Specialized Verifications

The video vetting process can also lead to specialized verifications. For instance, a surgeon might receive specific designations for their expertise in areas like:

• Diaphragm endometriosis
• Bowel endometriosis management
• Urinary tract endometriosis treatment
• Advanced endometrioma excision techniques

These specialized verifications provide a more granular view of a surgeon’s expertise, allowing patients to find specialists who closely match their specific needs.

Why Video Vetting is Important for Endometriosis Surgeons

The importance of video vetting for endometriosis surgeons cannot be overstated. This approach to surgeon verification addresses several critical needs in endometriosis care, benefiting both patients and doctors.

Elevating Standards of Care

Video vetting raises the bar for endometriosis surgery by setting a new standard for skill verification. It encourages surgeons to continually refine their techniques so they can successfully pass the vetting. This drive for excellence ultimately translates to better patient outcomes and a higher overall standard of care in endometriosis treatment.

Addressing the Complexity of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a complex condition that can present in various forms and severity. Video vetting allows surgeons to demonstrate their ability to handle this complexity in each specific disease region, such as bowel, diaphragm, ovaries, ureters, bladder, and other organs. By showcasing their skills in managing different types of endometriosis lesions and associated complications, surgeons can prove their readiness to tackle even the most challenging cases.

Enhancing Professional Development

The process of preparing for and undergoing video vetting can be a valuable learning experience for surgeons. It encourages self-reflection and critical analysis of one’s surgical techniques. This introspective approach can lead to continuous improvement and professional growth, benefiting the surgeon and their future patients.

Building a Network of Excellence

Video vetting creates a community of verified endometriosis specialists. This network can facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration on complex cases, and the advancement of endometriosis treatment techniques. Such a community of excellence can drive innovation and improve the overall quality of endometriosis care globally.

Facilitating Patient-Surgeon Matching

For patients, finding the right surgeon for their specific endometriosis case is crucial. Video vetting facilitates this matching process by providing detailed insights into a surgeon’s areas of expertise. Patients can more easily identify surgeons who have demonstrated proficiency in endometriosis. This will lead to more targeted search and effective treatment plans.

Steps to Go Through Video Vetting Process as an Endometriosis Surgeon

For endometriosis surgeons looking to undergo the video vetting process, there are several key steps to follow. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive and fair evaluation of surgical skills and expertise.

Selecting the Right Platform – iCareBetter

The first step is choosing an appropriate platform for video vetting. Currently, iCareBetter stands out as the primary platform offering transparent double-blind video-vetting verification for endometriosis surgeons. When selecting a platform, consider factors such as:

• Reputation and credibility in the medical community
• Transparency of the vetting process
• Quality and expertise of the reviewing panel
• Potential impact on your practice and patient trust

Preparing Surgical Videos

The core of the video vetting process lies in the surgical videos surgeons submit. Here are key considerations for preparing these videos:

1. Focus on Representative Cases: Choose surgeries that best showcase your skills in managing stage II or higher endometriosis.
2. Highlight Key Techniques: Ensure your videos demonstrate crucial skills such as:
   – Deep endometriosis excision
   – Pelvic wall dissection
   – Endometrioma management
3. Include Specialized Procedures: If aiming for specific designations, include videos of specialized techniques like:
   – Diaphragm endometriosis treatment
   – Bowel resection for endometriosis
   – Ureter re-implantation
   – Bladder excision procedures
4. Ensure Video Quality: Make sure the video quality is sufficient for clear evaluation.
   

Submitting Your Materials

Once your videos and documents are prepared:

• Use a secure cloud storage system like Dropbox to share your content.
• Organize all materials in a clear, easily navigable format. Create one folder for each patient and put all the videos and documents there.
• Ensure all patient-identifying information is properly redacted to maintain privacy.

Undergoing the Review Process

After submission, your materials will undergo a rigorous double-blind review process:

1. Three expert reviewers will anonymously evaluate your surgical videos and documents.
2. The review focuses on surgical technique, decision-making, and adherence to best practices.
3. You may receive requests for additional information during this process.

Receiving and Implementing Feedback

Upon completion of the review:

1. You’ll receive detailed feedback on your submitted materials.
2. Use this feedback as an opportunity for professional growth and improvement.
3. Consider implementing suggested changes in your surgical practice.

Promoting Your Video Vetting Designation

Once successfully vetted:

1. Update your professional profiles and website to reflect your new designation.
2. Inform your patients about the significance of this verification.
3. Consider sharing your experience with colleagues to encourage wider adoption of video vetting in the endometriosis surgery community.

Challenges and Solutions in Video Vetting for Surgeons

While video vetting offers numerous benefits, it also presents certain challenges for endometriosis surgeons. Understanding these video vetting challenges and their potential solutions is crucial for the successful implementation and widespread adoption of this innovative verification process.

Addressing Patient Privacy and HIPAA Compliance

One of the primary concerns in video vetting is maintaining patient privacy and adhering to HIPAA regulations. Surgeons must ensure that all patient-identifying information is removed from their submitted materials.

Solutions:

• Implement robust de-identification processes for all video and document submissions.
• Use secure platforms for storing and sharing videos and documents.

Managing Technical and Time Constraints

Preparing high-quality surgical videos and compiling comprehensive documentation can be time-consuming and technically challenging for busy surgeons. Plan ahead to record the appropriate cases and seek help from your team to collect documents.

Video Vetting as a Vital Tool for Building Patient Relationships

Video vetting has emerged as an invaluable approach for endometriosis surgeons to build rapport and provide crucial information to patients early in their decision-making journey. This innovative process not only confirms a surgeon’s expertise but also elevates trust and engagement. This trust lays the foundation for strong patient relationships.

Enhancing Transparency and Trust

By participating in video vetting, surgeons demonstrate a commitment to transparency and excellence. This openness can significantly boost patient trust, as it provides tangible evidence of a surgeon’s skills and expertise.

• Patients gain confidence in their surgeon’s abilities before the first consultation.
• The transparency of the vetting process helps alleviate anxiety and uncertainty about surgical procedures.

Facilitating Informed Decision-Making

Video vetting empowers patients with detailed information about a surgeon’s capabilities. This information enables them to make a more informed decision about their care.

• Patients can better understand and trust the skills of surgeons.
• This knowledge allows for more meaningful discussions during consultations, as patients come prepared with relevant questions and concerns.

Creating a Personal Connection

Although patients don’t directly view the surgical videos, the knowledge that their surgeon has undergone this rigorous process can create a sense of personal connection and trust.

• Patients feel more comfortable knowing their surgeon’s skills have been independently verified.
• This initial trust can lead to more open and productive doctor-patient communications.

Demonstrating Commitment to Quality Care

Surgeons who undergo video vetting showcase their dedication to providing the highest standard of care, which resonates strongly with patients.

• It signals a surgeon’s willingness to be evaluated and continuously improve their skills.
• This commitment to excellence can be a key differentiator in a patient’s choice of their surgeon.

Addressing Specific Patient Concerns

Video vetting allows surgeons to demonstrate proficiency in specific areas of endometriosis surgery, directly addressing common patient concerns.

• Patients with complex cases can find surgeons verified in handling their specific type of endometriosis.
• This targeted matching can lead to better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

Encourage Patient Engagement

The existence of a video vetting process can encourage patients to be more engaged in their healthcare decisions.

• It prompts patients to ask more informed questions about surgical techniques and outcomes.
• This increased engagement can lead to better preparation for surgery and more realistic expectations.

Facilitating Referrals and Second Opinions

Video-vetted surgeons can more confidently claim endometriosis expertise and offer second opinions, knowing their skills have been objectively verified.

• This can lead to a more collaborative approach to patient care.
• Patients benefit from a network of verified experts working together for their best interests.

In conclusion, video vetting is a vital tool in building strong, trust-based relationships between endometriosis surgeons and their patients. By undergoing this process, surgeons not only validate their skills but also demonstrate a commitment to patient-centered excellence in care. This approach aligns perfectly with the evolving healthcare landscape, where informed patients seek transparency and excellence in their medical care. As the field of endometriosis surgery continues to advance, video vetting will likely play an increasingly crucial role in ensuring high-quality care and facilitating positive patient outcomes.

References:

https://www.benefitspro.com/2021/01/07/4-steps-to-vetting-a-virtual-care-solution-for-your-employees

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting