title: Assessing the Nontechnical Skills of Surgical Trainees: Views of the Theater Team.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to explore the views of members of theater teams regarding the proposed introduction of a workplace-based assessment of nontechnical skills of surgeons (NOTSS) into the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme in the United Kingdom. In addition, the previous training and familiarity of the members of the surgical theater team with the concept and assessment of NOTSS would be evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A regional survey of members of theater teams (consultant surgeons, anesthetists, scrub nurses, and trainees) was performed at 1 teaching and 2 district general hospitals in South Yorkshire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 160 respondents corresponding to a response rate of 81%. The majority (77%) were not aware of the NOTSS assessment tool with only 9% of respondents reporting to have previously used the NOTSS tool and just 3% having received training in NOTSS assessment. Overall, 81% stated that assessing NOTSS was as important as assessing technical skills. Trainees attributed less importance to nontechnical skills than the other groups (p ≤ 0.016). Although opinion appears divided as to whether the presence of a consultant surgeon in theater could potentially make it difficult to assess a trainee's leadership skills and decision-making capabilities, overall 60% agree that the routine use of NOTSS assessment would enhance safety in the operating theater and 80% agree that the NOTSS tool should be introduced to assess the nontechnical skills of trainees in theater. However, a significantly lower proportion of trainees (45%) agreed on the latter compared with the other groups (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our survey demonstrates acceptability among the theater team for the introduction of the NOTSS tool into the surgical curriculum. However, lack of familiarity highlights the importance of faculty training for assessors before such an introduction.
authors: Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Vascular Institute, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Electronic address: waljundi@hotmail.com.
authors: Wissam
authors: W
authors: Al-Jundi
authors: Department of General Surgery, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, Doncaster, United Kingdom.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Wild
authors: University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Ritchie
authors: Surgical Oncology, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Daniels
authors: Department of Plastic Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, United Kingdom; Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors: Eleanor
authors: E
authors: Robertson
authors: Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Vascular Institute, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Beard
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003657:Decision Making; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D066231:Surgeons / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Patient Care; Professionalism; Systems-Based Practice; patient safety; standard of care; task performance and analysis