Novel Performance Rating Instruments for Gynecological Procedures in Primary Care: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gynecological Procedures
• Family Medicine Training

Background:

• Training family physicians (FPs) in gynecological procedures is vital for patient safety.
• Current methods for assessing these skills require improvement and validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and pilot performance rating instruments for four key gynecological procedures.
• To gather preliminary validity evidence for these new assessment tools.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi technique involving 16 experts developed procedure-specific checklists (PSCs).
• A global rating scale (GRS) was adapted for ambulatory settings.
• 19 academic FPs piloted the instruments using recorded resident performances, blinded to training level.

Main Results:

• Consensus was reached on PSC items after two Delphi rounds.
• Second-year residents consistently scored higher than first-year residents on both PSCs and GRS.
• Statistically significant differences were observed in most comparisons, with large effect sizes, indicating instrument sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Novel performance rating instruments for four gynecological procedures were successfully developed.
• Preliminary validity evidence supports their use for formative feedback in simulation settings.
• These tools show promise for enhancing the training and documentation of gynecological skills in family medicine.