Evaluate mental practice with longitudinal mixed-method designs in real clinical teams, and embed MP in organisational routines such as pre-surgical briefings¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 3 claims (2 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 review), q1 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article recommends that future research "should look at longitudinal mixed method evaluation designs and focus on real clinical teams", moving beyond immediate performance outcomes to uptake, retention and transfer of MP routines. Three reviews advocated prospective investigations using systematic ethnographic observations, follow-up self-reports and evidence of changes in local training methods, team routines or curriculum. The authors also urge evaluators to consider organisational support — time and space allocated to MP in pre-surgical routines and briefings — and the effects of sustained MP on surgical flow and patient care.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Evaluation must identify different methods of data collection and a variety of sources within the Kirkpatrick umbrella levels

Constraints¶

• The article notes the preponderance of RCT designs in the reviews may have restricted analysis of more enduring examples of acceptance, learning and skill acquisition

Target Learners¶

• surgical teams
• surgeons at novice and experienced levels

Target Learning Goals¶

• sustained acquisition and transfer of surgical skills
• uptake of mental practice routines
• team performance and safety

Affordances¶

• Mental Practice Umbrella Theory

Claims¶

• Evidence for mental practice impacts in surgery does not exceed Kirkpatrick level 3, and no study reported system-level (level 4) change [+W]
• Reviews report that mental practice effectiveness may depend on individual imagery strength, and that MP interventions vary widely in duration, delivery mode and setting [~W]
• Evidence for transfer and long-term impact of mental practice is sparse but includes positive trends: combined MP plus physical practice improved suturing transfer, and mental rehearsal lowered endovascular error rates [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Prioritize longitudinal studies tracking trainees from simulation to real-world surgical performance
• Future research should use standardized validated outcome measures, longitudinal follow-up designs, and methods linking learner gains to patient-relevant outcomes
• Prioritize multicenter, randomized designs with standardized reporting and longitudinal follow-up in future surgical education research

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Snelgrove Huon; Gabbott Ben. (2020). Critical analysis of evidence about the impacts on surgical teams of ‘mental practice’ in systematic reviews: a systematic rapid evidence assessment (SREA). BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02131-3