Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Author Spotlight: Improving Percutaneous Vertebroplasty Surgical Accuracy and Efficiency Through Advanced Puncture Techniques
Published on: August 9, 2024
[Entrustable professional activities in spine surgery. Delphi validation]
Juan José María Mezzadri1,2, Emiliano López3, María Inés Manrique3
1Subcomisión de Educación, Asociación Argentina de Neurocirugía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Introduction:
The implementation of a training program common to all residencies has been difficult due to the heterogeneity of resources available in each training location. However, the acquisition of skills in spinal neurosurgery should be homogeneous in all training areas. The objective of this presentation is to define the minimum number of entrustable professional activities (EPA) in spine surgery at the end of a training program in neurosurgery and to describe its validation process through the Delphi methodology.
Materials And Methods:
Eleven EPA were proposed to be validated by the Delphi methodology. Twenty-one experts from all over the country were consulted about the sufficiency and relevance of each of the proposed EPA, through an anonymous survey, self-administered in two rounds.
Results:
In the first round, a level of agreement >80% was obtained in ten of the eleven EPA presented. The experts suggested modifications in six and proposed three new EPA. For the second round, the proposed changes were made, including the new suggested activities, reaching a high percentage of agreement.
Discussion:
The Delphi validation made it possible to establish, with a high degree of consensus, the minimum and essential EPA in spine surgery to ensure that training is homogeneous in all neurosurgery residency programs. Having EPA validated by experts is the first step towards incorporating them into residency programs and establishing a quality standard for neurosurgeons throughout the country.
