Table 3.

Major themes obtained from the thematic analysis of participants written feedback, with illustrative direct participant comment

Major themes	Participant comments
Focusing on the participant’s individual learning needs	Participant 1, November 2020: “As I’ve been on nights the whole time this course has been running, theatre access has been very hit and miss. This course has been my theatre practice whenever I’ve had time. It’s been a good substitute for being in the operating theatre. I haven’t had the opportunity to practice these skills in theatre. It is a great tool to keep your skills going, and I haven’t felt like I’ve lost any skills. This course is a good substitute to keep my skills current” Participant 11, November 2020: “The individualised feedback (was the most useful) …” Participant 1, November 2020: “In regard to research and career planning—I found the content really really good. I’ve heard people talk about how to build up your CV, but it was really good to go through it point by point. All the interview prep was broken down into questions; how to target and practice specific things was really useful”
Benefits of an active learner with a practical skills focussed learning experience with provision real time constructive feedback	Participant 4, November 2020: “The hands-on practice with the lap trainer with feedback from an experienced operator in real time” Participant 10, November 2020: “Interactive sessions and live feedback on laparoscopic skills” Participant 1, March 2021: “Feedback from SurgTrac, and especially live webinars offering contemporaneous feedback and tips” Participant 9, November 2021: “… getting feedback and tips from an experienced operator in real time” Participant 1, March 2022: The live skills sessions were crucial for tips on how to be successful with practice and the SurgTrac application and being able to see your progress is very enjoyable” Participant 2, October 2022: “…. online laparoscopic webinars (were the most useful) with live demonstration, and feedback”
Positive aspects of creating a safe learning environment	Participant 2, November 2020: “Thorough explanation of the principles and basics of laparoscopic surgery in a friendly environment with no time pressure”
	Participant 5, March 2021: “…practicing with the instruments in a safe and non-judgemental zone (i.e., at home) so that I can finally start doing more in theatre and be taken more seriously by my seniors”
Assigning value to a home simulation-based educational environment	Participant 4, October 2022: “Able to practise lap surgery in my own time without any pressure” Participant 2, November 2020: “Focussing on repetition of the fundamental tasks was really helpful to getting core laparoscopic skills right” Participant 2, October 2022: “Easily accessible from home (was the most useful part)”
Repetition of core areas and broad or repetitive learning modalities	Participant 5, September 2021: “Course chapters that could be found online and in textbooks elsewhere (were the least useful)” Participant 4, November 2020: “The essay assessment (was the least useful)—I've had to do SO much of this (no fault of the course, it's just very en vogue at Uni, RACS courses and my Masters)” Participant 2, October 2022: “participation with online discussion forums may be limited by the fact that course material was completed at different paces...might be better to allocate small section of online webinar to have a live discussion”