Face and content validation of artificial temporal bone dissection for otolaryngology training

To assess the face and content validity of artificial temporal bone dissection in surgical training in the UK.

Expert and non-expert groups participated in artificial temporal bone dissection at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Face and content validity were assessed by a validated post-dissection questionnaire.

The median content validity score was 34 out of 35 (interquartile range 32.00-35.00). Mean face validity score compared to human was 45.76 out of 65 (95 per cent CI 42.57-48.94). Face validity compared to cadaveric models demonstrated equivalence (95 per cent CI 25.30-30.70, crossing equivalence value 27.00). Experts rated face validity less favourably than non-experts (p = 0.012 and 0.042, respectively). Content validity was equivalent between experts and non-experts (p = 0.052). There were no significant differences in total content (p = 0.606) and face validity (p = 0.133, p = 0.105) scores between different artificial bones.

The high content and face validity suggests ENT training programs should consider formally incorporating artificial models into mastoid surgery training pathways.