Comprehensive framework to support & assess surgical training progress

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Comprehensive framework to support and assess surgical training progress

  • IRAS ID

    142194

  • Contact name

    Siddek Isreb

  • Contact email

    siddek.isreb@durham.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Durham university

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Currently surgical trainees have to train within 1/5th of the previously recommended training time and reach competency with only two thirds of the minimum recommended operation numbers. They have to learn expanding surgical techniques while suffering the loss of the old apprentice style.

    I am creating a new surgical skills assessment framework to support and facilitate learning through assessment. The new framework benefits from current technology advancement. It incorporates hazard recognition training for surgeons, to reduce complications ultimately. It is procedure specific and uses laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a model.

    The study is divided into three phases. Phase one creates the assessment materials which includes a knowledge questionnaire and hazard-videos to provide the cognitive training to expedite training and enhance surgical operation hazards prediction and mediation.

    The second phase is material refinement. It will recruit experts to check the face and content validity of the assessment material and suggest any needed modifications.

    The final phase is an implementation feasibility study. It will enrol surgical junior doctors and registrars in the Northern deanery to take assessment to check its construct validity. Once they have passed the assessment materials, higher Trainees’ supervised surgical procedures will be recorded with a synchronized intra-abdominal and extra-abdominal recordings to facilitate observing the surgical action and the instruments manipulation, as well as the staff interaction. We will then ask the surgical trainees and their supervisors to review the videotape and fill out the procedure based assessment (PBA) form to facilitate reflection and enhance feedback as well as giving consultants the chance to evaluating their teaching style.

    This study will evaluate the assessment framework utility and changes in assessment feedback and accuracy. It will conduct trainee and trainers structured interviews and carry out observational study focusing on safety and non-technical aspect of surgical theatre environment.

  • REC name

    North East - York Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    15/NE/0367

  • Date of REC Opinion

    7 Dec 2015

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion