Video-based digital platforms as an educational resource for the surgical preparation of orthopedic surgeons

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to research the video-based digital platforms that orthopedic specialists in Turkey use as an educational resource in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before, the frequency of their use of these platforms, and their trust in these platforms, with a survey study. METHODS: The importance of video-based digital platforms in surgical preparations that surgeons have not seen or done before was measured using the data obtained from 181 orthopedic specialists using a survey prepared on an Internet-based server (docs.google.com). RESULTS: Orthopedists used video-based digital platforms with a ratio of 38.7% among the educational resources in their surgical preparations that they have not seen or done before. There was no significant difference between the specialists with a surgical experience of 1–10 years and more than 10 years of experience in terms of using video-based digital platforms in surgical preparation (p>0.05). A total of 81.2% of the participants used only video-based digital platforms in the preparation of a surgical procedure they have never seen before. The most frequently used digital platform was YouTube, and 62% of the participants considered these platforms reliable. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic specialists in Turkey primarily and frequently use video-based digital platforms as a training resource in their preparations for surgery that they have not seen or done before. The establishment or support of platforms with evidence-based content with references from official orthopedic institutions and organizations can increase the trust of orthopedic specialists in these platforms.