TY - JOUR

T1 - Examining validity evidence for a simulation-based assessment tool for basic robotic surgical skills

AU - Havemann, Maria Cecilie

AU - Dalsgaard, Torur

AU - Sørensen, Jette Led

AU - Røssaak, Kristin

AU - Brisling, Steffen

AU - Mosgaard, Berit Jul

AU - Høgdall, Claus

AU - Bjerrum, Flemming

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Increasing focus on patient safety makes it important to ensure surgical competency among surgeons before operating on patients. The objective was to gather validity evidence for a virtual-reality simulator test for robotic surgical skills and evaluate its potential as a training tool. Surgeons with varying experience in robotic surgery were recruited: novices (zero procedures), intermediates (1-50), experienced (> 50). Five experienced surgeons rated five exercises on the da Vinci Skills Simulator. Participants were tested using the five exercises. Participants were invited back 3 times and completed a total of 10 attempts per exercise. The outcome was the average simulator performance score for the 5 exercises. 32 participants from 5 surgical specialties were included. 38 participants completed all 4 sessions. A moderate correlation between the average total score and robotic experience was identified for the first attempt (Spearman r = 0.58; p = 0.0004). A difference in average total score was observed between novices and intermediates [median score 61% (IQR 52-66) vs. 83% (IQR 75-91), adjusted p < 0.0001], as well as novices and experienced [median score 61% (IQR 52-66) vs. 80 (IQR 69-85), adjusted p = 0.002]. All three groups improved their performance between the 1st and 10th attempts (p < 0.00). This study describes validity evidence for a virtual-reality simulator for basic robotic surgical skills, which can be used for assessment of basic competency and as a training tool. However, more validity evidence is needed before it can be used for certification or high-stakes assessment.

AB - Increasing focus on patient safety makes it important to ensure surgical competency among surgeons before operating on patients. The objective was to gather validity evidence for a virtual-reality simulator test for robotic surgical skills and evaluate its potential as a training tool. Surgeons with varying experience in robotic surgery were recruited: novices (zero procedures), intermediates (1-50), experienced (> 50). Five experienced surgeons rated five exercises on the da Vinci Skills Simulator. Participants were tested using the five exercises. Participants were invited back 3 times and completed a total of 10 attempts per exercise. The outcome was the average simulator performance score for the 5 exercises. 32 participants from 5 surgical specialties were included. 38 participants completed all 4 sessions. A moderate correlation between the average total score and robotic experience was identified for the first attempt (Spearman r = 0.58; p = 0.0004). A difference in average total score was observed between novices and intermediates [median score 61% (IQR 52-66) vs. 83% (IQR 75-91), adjusted p < 0.0001], as well as novices and experienced [median score 61% (IQR 52-66) vs. 80 (IQR 69-85), adjusted p = 0.002]. All three groups improved their performance between the 1st and 10th attempts (p < 0.00). This study describes validity evidence for a virtual-reality simulator for basic robotic surgical skills, which can be used for assessment of basic competency and as a training tool. However, more validity evidence is needed before it can be used for certification or high-stakes assessment.

KW - Assessment

KW - Robotic surgery

KW - Simulation

KW - Validity

KW - Virtual reality

U2 - 10.1007/s11701-018-0811-8

DO - 10.1007/s11701-018-0811-8

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 29761352

VL - 13

SP - 99

EP - 106

JO - Journal of Robotic Surgery

JF - Journal of Robotic Surgery

SN - 1863-2483

IS - 1

ER -