Practical application of hierarchical task analysis and cognitive work analysis in a surgical training system design

Hierarchical task analysis (HTA) and cognitive work analysis (CWA) were applied to laparoscopic surgery to identify critical technical, cognitive, and social challenges. Our purpose was to understand the complexity of laparoscopy and use this knowledge to develop a surgical training system. Five laparoscopic procedures were analyzed using the HTA methodology, while generic laparoscopic approaches were analyzed by applying the five phases of the CWA framework. The results from these analyses were applied to a surgical training system. The focus was on the application of partial-task training to areas that could be more technically challenging. Additionally, practical, social, and cognitive training aspects were included into the training system, based on our findings from the analyses. Practical Relevance: The use of digital training systems is becoming increasingly important in complex work systems, especially when it comes to simulations that can have serious consequences in reality. This paper presents the development of a surgical training system.