Remote Hands-On Training for Colorectal ESD

Aims COVID-19 led to a shift from in-person events to online formats for many conferences and seminars. While online education tools have proven valuable, hands-on training still requires on-site guidance. In response, we revamped our training system, focusing on ICT-based education, specifically remote hands-on training with the support of Olympus Marketing Co., Ltd. since 2020. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of remote hands-on training.

Methods   Remote Training [One month before the training] Participants are required to complete pre-learning through a dedicated Olympus website, which includes instructional videos on basic scope operations. A pre-session survey was also conducted to share individual challenges with instructors. [On the day of training] Participants gathered at Olympus branch offices nationwide and received real-time guidance from instructors at the central facility via monitors. To ensure detailed feedback, endoscopic monitors, instructional monitors, and external cameras capturing participants' hand movements were used, allowing instructors to observe and provide guidance from three angles. Participants and instructors communicated interactively via microphones, enabling participants to ask questions immediately. [Three months after the training] Participants submitted videos of actual cases they encountered to a web-based case discussion session, where multiple instructors provided feedback and further guidance based on the cases presented by the participants. The effectiveness of the training was evaluated based on survey results from 40 participants who had previously attended the training.

Results Survey results indicated that 35 participants (88%) were very satisfied with the training, and all 40 participants (100%) agreed that remote hands-on training would remain a necessary educational method in the future. When comparing remote training with on-site guidance, 32 participants (80%) expressed a preference for remote instruction in future sessions. Specific advantages included avoiding the 'three Cs' (closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings), improved accessibility in terms of time, location, and cost, more detailed instruction on hand movements, and the immersive experience provided by the training. As for disadvantages, there were occasional audio delays and some participants expressed a desire for more hands-on guidance. While remote training cannot fully replace traditional on-site training, the feedback emphasized unique benefits specific to remote learning.

Conclusions Remote hands-on training not only overcomes geographic and time constraints but also enables more detailed instruction. Given these advantages, we believe it is meaningful to continue implementing remote training alongside traditional methods in the post-COVID era.

Publication History

Article published online:
27 March 2025