Face, content, and construct validation of a low‐cost, non‐biologic, sinus surgery task trainer and knowledge‐based curriculum

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate face and content validity of a low-cost, low-technology, non-biologic endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) task trainer and knowledge-based curriculum followed by construct validation of the task trainer. Methods A sinus surgery task trainer and curriculum were developed. Attending otolaryngologists were surveyed regarding the utility of the task trainer and curriculum. A cross-sectional construct validation study was performed including medical students, residents, and attending otolaryngologists. Nine tasks were performed on the task trainer and graded using a global rating scale (GRS). Predictors of task trainer performance were evaluated, and spatial performance was measured. Regression analyses were performed to assess main associations. Results 100% of attendings (n=7) agreed that the task trainer accelerates the learning curve and incorporates essential ESS techniques and that the knowledge-based curriculum describes anatomical and technical knowledge germane to ESS. Twelve medical students, nine otolaryngology residents, and five attending otolaryngologists completed task trainer testing. GRS score varied by level of training after adjusting for potential confounders (slope=2.63; p=0.001). There was evidence of an association between a history of video gaming (slope=1.33; p=0.077), sports experience (slope=2.08; p=0.033), and sinus surgery simulation (slope=2.72; p=0.023) with GRS score, although not statistically significant. Conclusion This study demonstrated validity of a knowledge-based sinus surgery curriculum and low-cost, sinus task trainer supporting use in early training. Participants with prior video gaming, sports participation, and sinus surgery simulation experience perform better at baseline on the task trainer.

Skills transfer to sinus surgery via a low‐cost simulation‐based curriculum

“…Subjects were approached to complete a survey assessing baseline characteristics regarding gender, level of training, handedness (right, left, or ambidextrous), previous sinus surgery simulation and intraoperative experience, as well as past participation in activities requiring coordination (eg, sports, dance, sewing, video games, music) . The training and testing curricula are outlined in Figure .…”

“…Tasks were performed on a previously described, low‐cost, low‐fidelity, ESS task trainer . Briefly, subjects were asked to perform a set of 9 tasks.…”

“…Participants were instructed to view a video illustrating an expert performing an uncinectomy, maxillary antrostomy, and anterior ethmoidectomy prosection (Supporting Video provided in Harbison et al …”

“…Teaching both technical and cognitive skills has a greater impact on surgical performance than either alone as illustrated in a randomized controlled trial of resident technical performance during colectomy . In a recent study, we evaluated the face, content, and construct validity of a low‐cost, low‐technology, nonbiologic sinus surgery task trainer and knowledge‐based curriculum . We sought to extend the results of our prior work and assess skill transfer to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) with deliberate practice and cognitive training using a knowledge‐based and simulation‐based ESS curriculum.…”

The Role of Simulation in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Training

“…ESS requires familiarisation with the fulcrum efect of the instruments and the psychomotor constraints of the endoscopic interface. Resident participation in the operating room is associated with lengthier operative times [1,2] and increased complication rates in ESS [3,4]. Hence, there is a need for sinus surgery simulators to allow surgical training of residents in a safe environment thereby reducing complications.…”