Graduating (PGY5) general surgery trainees were significantly more likely to pass the simulated technical skills examination than PGY3 trainees (78% vs 30%, P=0.037).
Cross-Sectional (n=19)
Blinded to the level of training
A simulated technical skills examination for general surgery trainees demonstrated reliability and successfully differentiated between PGY3 and PGY5 trainees.
Absolute Event Rate: 78% vs 30%
p-value: p=0.037
Abstract Background Technical skill acquisition is important in surgery specialty training. Despite an emphasis on competency-based training, few tools are currently available for direct technical skills assessment at the completion of training. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a simulated technical skill examination for graduating (postgraduate year (PGY)5) general surgery trainees. Methods A simulated eight-station, procedure-based general surgery technical skills examination was developed. Board-certified general surgeons blinded to the level of training rated performance of PGY3 and PGY5 trainees by means of validated scoring. Cronbach's α was used to calculate reliability indices, and a conjunctive model to set a pass score with borderline regression methodology. Subkoviak methodology was employed to assess the reliability of the pass–fail decision. The relationship between passing the examination and PGY level was evaluated using χ2 analysis. Results Ten PGY3 and nine PGY5 trainees were included. Interstation reliability was 0·66, and inter-rater reliability for three stations was 0·92, 0·97 and 0·76. A pass score of 176·8 of 280 (63·1 per cent) was set. The pass rate for PGY5 trainees was 78 per cent (7 of 9), compared with 30 per cent (3 of 10) for PGY3 trainees. Reliability of the pass–fail decision had an agreement coefficient of 0·88. Graduating trainees were significantly more likely to pass the examination than PGY3 trainees (χ2 = 4·34, P = 0·037). Conclusion A summative general surgery technical skills examination was developed with reliability indices within the range needed for high-stakes assessments. Further evaluation is required before the examination can be used in decisions regarding certification.
Halwani et al. (Sun,) conducted a cross-sectional in General surgery training (n=19). PGY5 training level (graduating trainees) vs. PGY3 training level was evaluated on Passing the simulated technical skills examination (p=0.037). Graduating (PGY5) general surgery trainees were significantly more likely to pass the simulated technical skills examination than PGY3 trainees (78% vs 30%, P=0.037).