The issue was debated at the April meeting of the Council, minutes of which have been seen by the <strong><em>Medical Independent</em></strong> (<strong><em>MI</em></strong>) following a Freedom of Information request.
The Council debated the possible incorporation of live surgery transmission for CPD purposes, “as an educational medium”.
A presentation was made looking at the effectiveness on training professionals and ethical issues and the need to respect the confidentiality of patients. However, it was noted in the discussion that a number of surgical bodies, including the RCS England and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, do not endorse the practice of live surgery broadcasts to public audiences.
Following discussion, the RCSI Council endorsed the recommendation that “events that involve live surgery performed in the teaching of surgical skills to an audience will not be approved by the RCSI for CPD purposes. Pre-recorded procedures (either by the organiser or other expert surgeons) may be used”.
“Council also agreed that surgical procedures for transmission at the Mini-Med School programme should be pre-recorded,” read the minutes.
“It was agreed that live surgery may be appropriate, in certain circumstances, eg, in clinical meetings/medical education for students and surgical trainees.”
<strong><em>MI</em></strong> asked the RCSI whether its Council would be expected to return to the discussion about live surgery transmission again some time in the future.
“We have no further comment at this time,” an RCSI spokesperson told <strong><em>MI</em></strong> in reply.
