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Training, Experience, and Opinions of Researchers Who Use Surgical Techniques to Implant Telemetry Devices into Fish
Author(s) -
Cooke Steven J.,
Wagner Glenn N.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(2004)29[10:teaoor]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - fish <actinopterygii> , medical education , telemetry , biotelemetry , curriculum , training (meteorology) , medicine , psychology , computer science , fishery , pedagogy , geography , biology , telecommunications , meteorology
Abstract Intraperitoneal implantation of telemetry devices in fishes has become commonplace in fisheries science, yet little is known about the training and experience of practicing fish surgeons. We used a survey to characterize the training, experience, and opinions of researchers who use surgical techniques to implant telemetry devices in fishes. The experience level of the 177 respondents varied from 0 to 25 years of experience and 5 to 5,000 fish surgeries, and it was apparent that there was no consistent method of training in surgical techniques, with many of the respondents indicating they learned from trial and error. Very few of the respondents had been formally tested to assess their level of surgical competency, although the majority recognized that surgical experience was important and believed that a minimum level of experience should be required prior to engaging in fish surgery. Respondents identified a need for more effective training materials and perhaps some levels of international standards. The consensus of respondents was that the most effective surgical training would include coupling theoretical instruction/workshops with hands‐on mentoring. We suggest that workshop materials (i.e., curricula and manuals) should be developed by a diverse group of surgeons with experience operating on fish. These materials must be peer reviewed, the courses should be accessible and affordable to all fisheries students and professionals, and the results need to be evaluated to determine if the program is achieving learner outcomes. Furthermore, a formal venue for individuals who conduct surgery on fish is needed to exchange ideas, and to link novices with appropriate mentors. Information derived from this study will provide a starting point for understanding issues associated with fish telemetry surgery and enable development of effective training materials for future and practicing fish surgeons.