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Construct validity of the ovine model in endoscopic sinus surgery training
Zaid Awad1, Ali Taghi, Priya Sethukumar
1Department of Surgery and Cancer , Imperial College, London; Department of Otolaryngology , St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
The Laryngoscope
|September 10, 2014
Summary
The ovine model demonstrates construct validity for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) training. Performance on the sheep-head model correlates with surgical expertise and training level, validating its use in ESS education.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Simulation
- Otorhinolaryngology
Background:
- Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) requires specialized training.
- Validated simulation models are crucial for effective surgical education.
- The ovine (sheep) head model offers a potential platform for ESS training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the construct validity of the ovine model for training and assessing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) skills.
- To evaluate the model's ability to differentiate between varying levels of surgical expertise.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional study evaluated trainees and experts performing ESS tasks on an ovine head model over 18 months.
- Anonymized video recordings were assessed by blinded experts using a validated Likert scale tool.
- Construct validity was determined by comparing scores across training levels and correlating performance with experience.
Main Results:
- The assessment tool demonstrated reliability and effectively discriminated between expertise levels in both global and task-specific scores.
- A significant positive correlation was found between years of training and performance scores (P < .001).
- Supervised ESS procedure volume was the most influential factor for intermediate trainees' performance.
Conclusions:
- The ovine head model serves as a valid tool for ESS training and assessment.
- This study provides the first evidence of construct validity for the ovine model in ESS surgical education.
