Surgeries broadcast live to Calgary students

Surgeons answer questions during procedure

Story by Colin Zak; Photo by Paul Rotzinger

Imagine turning on an episode of ER or Grey’s Anatomy and being able to interact with the characters and ask questions.

A new educational program in Calgary is doing just that – minus, of course, the jokes and the drama.

Direct From the Operating Room broadcasts knee surgeries live from an operating room at Rockyview General Hospital to between 100 and 150 junior high and high school students at Telus Spark’s presentation theatre. Throughout the procedure, students can ask questions and interact in real time with the surgeon and operating room team.

“It’s so cool. I got a little squeamish for some parts because it’s kind of a lot to take in. But after watching it for a while, I could totally see myself doing this. I think it’s so interesting,” says Cornelia Kowalczyk, a student at Bishop O’Byrne high school who participated in the program.

“I guess this is kind of a good way to see if it’s good for you or not.”

The program is the first of its kind in Western Canada and is made possible through a partnership between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Telus Spark.

The surgeries are shown on a 24-foot screen and students see the procedure – with a patient’s consent – from several angles thanks to multiple high-definition cameras in the operating room that are controlled remotely by members of the AHS Telehealth team.

A secondary screen enhances the students’ experience by showing relevant images and explanations of the surgery, including 3-D digital models.

Microphones located around the theatre allow students to interact with surgeon Dr. Jason Werle and the surgical team as they perform the procedure.

“Direct from the Operating Room offers students an experience generally reserved for medical professionals in a surgical team,” says Dr. Werle, Division Head of Joint Reconstruction with AHS Calgary Zone and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery, University of Calgary.

“It provides an opportunity for them to gain exposure to some of the many career choices available in health care. It also gives them a window into the fantastic work happening every day in local operating rooms.”

A pilot phase of the project allowed teams to learn and refine the program prior to its official launch, including an Aug. 14 broadcast to a group of Calgary educators. Calgary students had their first experience of live broadcast surgery on Sept. 26, and, since then, more than 450 Calgary students have participated in the program.

Beginning next month, surgeries will be broadcast monthly to 100 to 150 students from Calgary and area.

“At this stage, we have refined the program, defined the curriculum connection and created the framework, and have worked with AHS and teachers to generate interest on the parts of educators, school boards and students,” says Devon Hamilton, VP of Content at Telus Spark.

“This innovative approach demonstrates the integration of science, technology, engineering, art and math in a contemporary and inquiry-based experience.”

Surgery resident Dr. Jessica Page has helped answer questions and explain the procedure to students watching at Telus Spark. She says many of the students who participate in the program are interested in pursuing a career in health care.

“It’s fun to see the surgery through their eyes,” Page says. “I definitely encourage them to look wide and don’t just think about being a surgeon, because there are so many amazing allied health professional careers that are important to the operations that we see on the screen.”

Bishop O’Byrne High School student Mason Depatie agrees.

“This will encourage me to get into the medical field. It doesn’t affect me – the grossness, I guess you could say. And I think it’s great to help people,” he says.

For full booking and pricing information, schools can call Telus Spark at 403-817-6800 or visit www.sparkscience.ca/educators.