Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Learning Modern Laryngeal Surgery in a Dissection Laboratory
Published on: March 18, 2020
OSABSS: An authentic examination for assessing basic surgical skills in surgical residents
Leila Sadati1, Fatemeh Edalattalab2, Niloofar Hajati1
1Department of Operating Room, School of Paramedical Sciences, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran.
Objectives:
This study aimed to develop and validate the OSABSS (Objective Structured Assessment of Basic Surgical Skills), a modified Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), to assess basic surgical skills in residents.
Design:
A developmental study conducted in two phases. Basic skills were identified through literature review and gap analysis. The OSABSS was then designed as a modified OSCE.
Setting:
This study took place at Alborz University of Medical Sciences in Iran.
Interventions:
The OSABSS was created using Harden's OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) methodology. Scenarios, checklists, and station configurations were developed through expert panels. The exam was piloted and implemented with residents as participants and faculty as evaluators.
Participants:
32 surgical residents in gynecology, general surgery, orthopedics, and neurosurgery participated. 22 faculty members were evaluators.
Primary And Secondary Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome was OSABSS exam scores. Secondary outcomes were written exam scores, and national residency entrance ranks.
Main Results:
The mean OSABSS score was 16.59 ± 0.19 across all stations. Criterion validity was demonstrated through correlations between OSABSS scores, written scores and entrance ranks. Reliability was high, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.87. No significant inter-rater score differences were found.
Conclusions:
The rigorous OSABSS development process produced an exam demonstrating strong validity and reliability for assessing basic surgical skills. The comprehensive station variety evaluates diverse technical and non-technical competencies. Further research should expand participant samples across surgical disciplines.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Abdomen II: Percussion
Percussion
Percussion is an essential...
Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection....
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...

