The Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric for External Dacryocystorhinostomy Surgery

The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) is currently developing a series of standardized, internationally validated, teaching tool for key ophthalmic surgical procedures called the Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubrics (OSCARs). This study aims to develop an OSCAR for external dacryocystorhinostomy (ExDCR).

An international panel of content experts, representing Argentina, India, U.A.E., United Kingdom, and the U.S.A. was established and worked to develop the rubric using a range of online collaboration tools. The team used the standardized OSCAR template as a baseline, developing explicit behavioral descriptors (the behavior and performance expected for each step) that were reviewed and modified with successive models. Learners were scored on a modified 4-point Dreyfus scale of skill acquisition (novice, beginner, advanced beginner, competent) with the removal of the expert domain. The tool was then reviewed by a secondary panel of international content experts, representing Brazil, India, Iran, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.

The final OSCAR ExDCR tool was developed in alignment with the ICO-OSCAR standard. Nineteen agreed and weighted stems were produced. Specific comments with regards to the parameters and wording were incorporated to formulate the final rubric, which was internationally agreed and demonstrated face and content validity.

The OSCAR ExDCR is skill and behavior based, has ICO agreed standards for assessment, and provides learners with specific targets for improvement. Although the OSCAR tool has face and content validity, further development could better elucidate its precise role.