Content and face validity of a comprehensive robotic skills training program for general surgery, urology, and gynecology.
BACKGROUND
The authors previously developed a comprehensive, proficiency-based robotic training curriculum that aimed to address 23 unique skills identified via task deconstruction of robotic operations. The purpose of this study was to determine the content and face validity of this curriculum.


METHODS
Expert robotic surgeons (n = 12) rated each deconstructed skill regarding relevance to robotic operations, were oriented to the curricular components, performed 3 to 5 repetitions on the 9 exercises, and rated each exercise.


RESULTS
In terms of content validity, experts rated all 23 deconstructed skills as highly relevant (4.5 on a 5-point scale). Ratings for the 9 inanimate exercises indicated moderate to thorough measurement of designated skills. For face validity, experts indicated that each exercise effectively measured relevant skills (100% agreement) and was highly effective for training and assessment (4.5 on a 5-point scale).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that the 23 deconstructed skills accurately represent the appropriate content for robotic skills training and strongly support content and face validity for this curriculum.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Genevieve
G
Dulan
Robert V
RV
Rege
Deborah C
DC
Hogg
Kristine K
KK
Gilberg-Fisher
Seifu T
ST
Tesfay
Daniel J
DJ
Scott
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012371:Robotics / Q000193:education*; D014481:United States; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education