title: Validation of an instrument for evaluation of subcuticular suturing using a plastic tissue model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To collect evidence for the validity and reliability of an assessment tool for simulated subcuticular suturing.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. Sshippe1@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shippey
authors.forename: Victoria L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Handa
authors.forename: Tiffany L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Craig W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Bowen
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education*; D013664:Teaching Materials