Cognitive Load
SaberLab explores how cognitive load affects surgical performance, safety, and decision-making. This research strand uses physiological and neurocognitive sensors, including heart rate variability (HRV), electroencephalogram (EEG), and electrodermal activity (EDA) to assess mental workload and stress. Identifying moments of potential cognitive overload during live surgery and simulation sessions, can inform the design of safer systems and support healthcare professionals in handling stressful situations and maintaining performance under pressure. The future of this work is to develop machine learning models that could predict risky situations for patients, develop just-in-time feedback, or adapt training environments to optimize learning.
Staying Sharp Under Pressure: Cognitive Load in Surgery
In high-stakes surgical environments, managing cognitive load is critical. This video explores how pressure impacts decision-making, communication, and performance—and how surgeons can use non-technical skills to stay focused, lead effectively, and maintain patient safety under stress.
