Adoption of routine surgical video recording: a nationwide freedom of information act request across England and Wales

Background Surgical video contains data with significant fi cant potential to improve surgical outcome assessment, quality assurance, education, and research. Current utilisation of surgical video recording is unknown and related policies/ governance structures are unclear. Methods A nationwide Freedom of Information (FOI) request concerning surgical video recording, technology, consent, access, and governance was sent to all acute National Health Service (NHS) trusts/boards in England/Wales between 20th February and 20th March 2023. Findings 140/144 (97.2%) trusts/boards in England/Wales responded to the FOI request. Surgical procedures were routinely recorded in 22 trusts/boards. The median estimate of consultant surgeons routinely recording their procedures was 20%. Surgical video was stored on internal systems (n = 27), third-party products (n = 29), and both (n = 9). 32/140 (22.9%) trusts/boards ask for consent to record procedures as part of routine care. Consent for recording included non-clinical purposes in 55/140 (39.3%) trusts/boards. Policies for surgeon/patient access to surgical video were available in 48/140 (34.3%) and 32/140 (22.9%) trusts/boards, respectively. Surgical video was used for non-clinical purposes in 64/140 (45.7%) trusts/boards. Governance policies covering surgical video recording, use, and/or storage were available from 59/140 (42.1%) trusts/boards. Interpretation There is significant fi cant heterogeneity in surgical video recording practices in England and Wales. A minority of trusts/boards routinely record surgical procedures, with large variation in recording/storage practices indicating scope for NHS-wide coordination. Revision of surgical video consent, accessibility, and governance policies should be prioritised by trusts/boards to protect key stakeholders. Increased availability of surgical video is essential for patients and surgeons to maximally benefit fi t from the ongoing digital transformation of surgery.