Construct validation of a small-animal thoracocentesis simulator.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Emergency Procedures

Background:

• Traditional veterinary training for emergency procedures like thoracocentesis lacks sufficient hands-on practice before clinical application.
• Current methods rely on "see one, do one, teach one," often in high-stress environments with limited animal availability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the face, content, and construct validity of a novel veterinary thoracocentesis simulator.
• To determine if the simulator can provide a safe, low-stakes environment for repetitive skill acquisition.

Main Methods:

• Face and content validity were assessed via surveys.
• Construct validity was determined by comparing the performance of veterinary students and experienced veterinarians on the simulator.
• Performance metrics included checklist scores, global ratings, and procedure completion time.

Main Results:

• Survey results confirmed the face and content validity of the simulator.
• Veterinarians significantly outperformed students in checklist and global rating scores.
• Students took significantly longer to complete the procedure compared to veterinarians, demonstrating the simulator's ability to distinguish expertise.

Conclusions:

• The veterinary thoracocentesis simulator is a valid tool for teaching and assessing emergency procedures.
• It offers a safe platform for students to practice thoracocentesis, gain tactile experience, and build proficiency.
• The simulator supports formative assessment prior to performing procedures on live animals.