Creating a Proficiency-based Remote Laparoscopic Skills Curriculum for the COVID-19 Era.
J Surg Educ
; 79(1): 229-236, 2022.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1294011
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Social distancing restrictions due to COVID-19 challenged our ability to educate incoming surgery interns who depend on early simulation training for basic skill acquisition. This study aimed to create a proficiency-based laparoscopic skills curriculum using remote learning.DESIGN:
Content experts designed 5 surgical tasks to address hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and precision cutting. A scoring formula was used to measure performance cutoff time - completion time - (Kâ¯×â¯errors)â¯=â¯score; the constant K was determined for each task. As a benchmark for proficiency, a fellowship-trained laparoscopic surgeon performed 3 consecutive repetitions of each task; proficiency was defined as the surgeon's mean score minus 2 standard deviations. To train remotely, PGY1 surgery residents (nâ¯=â¯29) were each issued a donated portable laparoscopic training box, task explanations, and score sheets. Remote training included submitting a pre-test video, self-training to proficiency, and submitting a post-test video. Construct validity (expert vs. trainee pre-tests) and skill acquisition (trainee pre-tests vs. post-tests) were compared using a Wilcoxon test (median [IQR] reported).SETTING:
The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TexasPARTICIPANTS:
Surgery internsRESULTS:
Expert and trainee pre-test performance was significantly different for all tasks, supporting construct validity. One trainee was proficient at pre-test. After 1 month of self-training, 7 additional residents achieved proficiency on all 5 tasks after 2-18 repetitions; trainee post-test scores were significantly improved versus pre-test on all tasks (pâ¯=â¯0.01).CONCLUSIONS:
This proficiency-based curriculum demonstrated construct validity, was feasible as a remote teaching option, and resulted in significant skill acquisition. The remote format, including video-based performance assessment, facilitates effective at-home learning and may allow additional innovations such as video-based coaching for more advanced curricula.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Laparoscopy
/
COVID-19
/
Internship and Residency
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Surg Educ
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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