H Gostlow1,2, N Marlow2, M J W Thomas3, P J Hewett1, A Kiermeier4, W Babidge1,2, M Altree2, G Pena1,2, G Maddern1,2. 1. Division of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, Australia. 2. Australian Safety and Efficacy Register of New Interventional Procedures - Surgical (ASERNIP-S), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, North Adelaide, Australia. 3. Westwood-Thomas Associates, Norton Summit, South Australia, Australia. 4. Statistical Process Improvement Consulting and Training, Gumeracha, South Australia, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In addition to technical expertise, surgical competence requires effective non-technical skills to ensure patient safety and maintenance of standards. Recently the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons implemented a new Surgical Education and Training (SET) curriculum that incorporated non-technical skills considered essential for a competent surgeon. This study sought to compare the non-technical skills of experienced surgeons who completed their training before the introduction of SET with the non-technical skills of more recent trainees. METHODS:Surgical trainees and experienced surgeons undertook a simulated scenario designed to challenge their non-technical skills. Scenarios were video recorded and participants were assessed using the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) scoring system. Participants were divided into subgroups according to years of experience and their NOTSS scores were compared. RESULTS: For most NOTSS elements, mean scores increased initially, peaking around the time of Fellowship, before decreasing roughly linearly over time. There was a significant downward trend in score with increasing years since being awarded Fellowship for six of the 12 NOTSS elements: considering options (score -0·015 units per year), implementing and reviewing decisions (-0·020 per year), establishing a shared understanding (-0·014 per year), setting and maintaining standards (-0·024 per year), supporting others (-0·031 per year) and coping with pressure (-0·015 per year). CONCLUSION: The drop in NOTSS score was unexpected and highlights that even experienced surgeons are not immune to deficiencies in non-technical skills. Consideration should be given to continuing professional development programmes focusing on non-technical skills, regardless of the level of professional experience.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: In addition to technical expertise, surgical competence requires effective non-technical skills to ensure patient safety and maintenance of standards. Recently the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons implemented a new Surgical Education and Training (SET) curriculum that incorporated non-technical skills considered essential for a competent surgeon. This study sought to compare the non-technical skills of experienced surgeons who completed their training before the introduction of SET with the non-technical skills of more recent trainees. METHODS: Surgical trainees and experienced surgeons undertook a simulated scenario designed to challenge their non-technical skills. Scenarios were video recorded and participants were assessed using the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) scoring system. Participants were divided into subgroups according to years of experience and their NOTSS scores were compared. RESULTS: For most NOTSS elements, mean scores increased initially, peaking around the time of Fellowship, before decreasing roughly linearly over time. There was a significant downward trend in score with increasing years since being awarded Fellowship for six of the 12 NOTSS elements: considering options (score -0·015 units per year), implementing and reviewing decisions (-0·020 per year), establishing a shared understanding (-0·014 per year), setting and maintaining standards (-0·024 per year), supporting others (-0·031 per year) and coping with pressure (-0·015 per year). CONCLUSION: The drop in NOTSS score was unexpected and highlights that even experienced surgeons are not immune to deficiencies in non-technical skills. Consideration should be given to continuing professional development programmes focusing on non-technical skills, regardless of the level of professional experience.
Authors: Anthony Manuguerra; Charles Mazeaud; Nicolas Hubert; Pascal Eschwège; Mathieu Roumiguié; Julia Salleron; Jacques Hubert Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2020-09-23 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: AlleaBelle Gongola; Jared T Gowen; Rebecca J Reif; Carol R Thrush; Hamilton Newhart; Molly Peckham; Zachary Schwartz; David Davies; Mary Katherine Kimbrough Journal: Med Sci Educ Date: 2021-06-21
Authors: Cora Griffin; Abdullatif Aydın; Oliver Brunckhorst; Nicholas Raison; Muhammad Shamim Khan; Prokar Dasgupta; Kamran Ahmed Journal: World J Urol Date: 2019-09-17 Impact factor: 4.226