Journal of Surgical Education
Volume 66, Issue 1 , Pages 31-34, January 2009

Validation of an Instrument for Evaluation of Subcuticular Suturing Using a Plastic Tissue Model

  • Stuart Shippey, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence: Inquiries to Stuart Shippey, MD, Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, 4940 Eastern Ave Suite A-121, Baltimore, MD 21224; fax: (410) 550-0245
    • ,
  • Victoria L. Handa, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
    • ,
  • Tiffany L. Chen, MSE

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
    • ,
  • Betty Chou, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
    • ,
  • Craig W. Bowen, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Office of Medical Education Services, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Objective

To collect evidence for the validity and reliability of an assessment tool for simulated subcuticular suturing.

Study Design

Three subjects were videotaped while closing a simulated incision in a plastic model. The 3 trials were viewed independently by 7 faculty examiners masked to subject identity. Global rating and task-specific scales were used to assess subject competence. The mean scores were compared among the 3 subjects and 7 evaluators using analysis of variance.

Results

Significant differences were found among the mean global rating scores for the 3 subjects but not among the evaluators. Similarly, significant differences were found between mean task-specific scale scores for the 3 subjects but not among the evaluators. Cronbach's alpha for global rating (0.89) and task-specific (0.93) scores suggested high internal consistency for each scale.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence for the discriminant validity, internal consistency, and inter-rater reliability of both the global rating and task-specific scales of our assessment tool.

Key Words: assessment tool, subcuticular, suturing, validation

Competency: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice Based Learning

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PII: S1931-7204(08)00248-1

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2008.09.001

Journal of Surgical Education
Volume 66, Issue 1 , Pages 31-34, January 2009

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