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The Development of Assessment Tools for Plastic Surgery Competencies
Brigitte C Courteau1, Aaron D C Knox1, Melina C Vassiliou1
1Dr Courteau is a Surgical Research Fellow in the Division of Surgical Research of the Department of Surgery at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Dr Knox is a Surgical Research Fellow and Dr Warren is a Clinical Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Department of Surgery at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Dr Warren is also the Continuing Medical Education Section Editor for the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Dr Vassiliou is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Dr Gilardino is the Director of the Plastic Surgery Residency Program and is an Associate Professor in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Department of Surgery at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
This study established a method to identify essential procedural steps for breast augmentation and facelift, crucial for plastic surgery resident training and assessment. These findings aim to improve surgical education standards.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Lack of objective tools for assessing procedural skills in plastic surgery residency.
- Increasing need for standardized assessment to meet North American training standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a methodology for identifying essential procedural steps in plastic surgery.
- To aid in resident training and assessment for specific procedures.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and needs assessment to select procedures (breast augmentation, facelift).
- Consensus process using Delphi methodology and online surveys with Canadian plastic surgery experts.
- Identification of essential vs. non-essential procedural steps for competence assessment.
Main Results:
- Consensus reached on 17 essential steps for breast augmentation.
- Consensus reached on 24 essential steps for facelift.
- High panelist reliability demonstrated (Cronbach's alpha 0.87 and 0.85).
Conclusions:
- Essential procedural steps for two key plastic surgery procedures have been determined.
- Further development of assessment instruments based on these steps is needed.
- Validation of these instruments is required for effective use in surgical education.
