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This article accounts for the design of the massive open online course (MOOC) Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy tales on FutureLearn and reports on the effectiveness of this design in terms of engaging learners in social learning and encouraging a deep approach to learning. A learning pathway was designed that provided learners with relevant knowledge, allowed them to practice their analysis skills and provided model responses. In the first run of the MOOC, a light facilitation approach was used to motivate and engage learners. In the second run, this was supplemented with live Q & A sessions and increased educator feedback. Course data show that that some learners use the space provided for social interaction and mutual support. A learning pathway that engages learners in discussion and progression from week to week facilitates a deep approach to learning. However, this requires more support from the educators and the course host.

This review summarises the knowledge of drawing as a learning tool. Drawing is a skill, which can be used by doctors in communicating with their patients. It also seems, that drawing supplements traditional learning methods and improves learning and retention of knowledge. Drawing is used by some doctors for planning of operations and as a visual tool to explain procedures and improve communication with patients. New visual technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality and 3D printing seem promising when used for training surgical skills and anatomy or planning operations.

Infection in central prosthetic vascular grafts is a serious threat to both life and limb of the patient. Replacement of the infected material with autologous graft material is the logical treatment. Only recently, however, has it been demonstrated that it is possible to remove the patient's own femoral vein and use it as an arterial conduit. We report our initial experience with the first three operations performed in this country.