Live... from the OR... It's Operation C-Section

“Operation C-Section,” a partnership between a regional, educational science center and community teaching hospital, provides high-school students an inside look at a cesarean delivery.  Video teleconferencing between students at the science center and the healthcare team in the hospital allows live, real-time interaction.

This program was funded through a grant provided by a regional Health Care Trust.  The program development included an extensive team consisting of administrators from the Obstetrical department, peri-operative nurses, physicians from obstetrics, pediatrics, administration and anesthesiology and staff from the following departments: respiratory, education, audio-visual and legal services.  The director of the regional science center, local schools and a local television news director were also members of this innovative team. The next steps involved identifying a patient and family willing to participate, obtaining informed consent, selecting staff participants, selecting the target audience, and preparing the students. On the technical side, audio-visual equipment was purchased and participants were choreographed and scripted. The program was presented as a live feed and no video recording was obtained. In an effort to focus on a wide audience, attention was given to providing professional role models in both genders for the entire team.

Evaluation tools from students reflected program satisfaction and increased awareness and interest in health care careers. Students expressed an increase in comfort at the prospect of going to see a health care provider. Overall, the team expressed satisfaction with showcasing various healthcare careers, teamwork and camaraderie in front of a live audience.

There were several lessons learned throughout this project to ensure that students received maximum benefit from the program.  Students were given information regarding cesarean delivery prior to the program to learn about the procedure.  Actual equipment from a Labor and Delivery operating room was set-up at the science center allowing hands-on experience for the participants.  Patients were screened carefully to ensure they were low-risk before being selected to participate. 

This innovative program can be replicated in other hospitals to improve student achievement in science and attract students to health and science careers, while creating hospital and community relationships and alliances.