A proficiency-based skills training curriculum for the SAGES surgical training for endoscopic proficiency (STEP)...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Background:

• The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons and Olympus America Inc. collaborated on a flexible endoscopy training program for surgical residents.
• Existing training lacked proficiency-based models.
• This study aimed to develop and validate new simulators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate novel flexible endoscopy simulators for surgical training.
• To establish proficiency metrics for these simulators.
• To assess the face and content validity of the developed models.

Main Methods:

• Three flexible endoscopy simulators were tested: an upper gastrointestinal tract model, a commercial colonoscopy model, and an endoscopic targeting model.
• Performance metrics (time and errors) were collected from 12 expert surgical endoscopists.
• Face and content validity were assessed using post-test questionnaires with a 5-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Expert endoscopists (mean 8 years experience) demonstrated performance times for the upper GI model (133s), colonoscopy model (325s), and targeting model (273s with 3 errors).
• The simulators showed face and content validity among experts.
• Proficiency metrics were established based on expert performance.

Conclusions:

• Three physical flexible endoscopy simulators possess face and content validity for training.
• These simulators can be used to train upper/lower endoscopy and instrument targeting.
• Established proficiency metrics will aid structured trainee rehearsal within the surgical training curriculum.