Preliminary Evaluation of a Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Simulator for Pediatric Surgical Education.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) decreases overall costs and length of stay in patients with choledocolithiasis. However, utilization of LCBDE remains low. We sought to evaluate a previously developed general surgery LCBDE simulator among a cohort of pediatric surgical trainees. The study purpose was to evaluate the content validity of an LCBDE simulator to support or refute its use in pediatric surgery education.


METHODS
After IRB exempt determination, 30 participants performed a transcystic LCBDE using a previously developed simulator and evaluated the simulator using a self-reported 28-item instrument. The instrument consisted of two primary domains (Quality and Ability to Perform) that were rated using twenty-five 4-point rating scales and one 4-point global rating scale. Validity evidence relevant to test content was evaluated using a many-facet Rasch model. Interitem consistency was estimated using Cronbach's alpha. P < .05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
The highest combined observed averages were for the Value subdomain (OA = 3.79), whereas the lowest ratings were for the Physical/visual attributes subdomain (OA = 3.19). The averaged global rating was 3.14, consistent with this simulator can be considered for use in pediatric LCBDE training, but could be improved slightly. Rasch indices were favorable and supported evidence relevant to test content. Interitem consistency estimates were also favorable, with α values of 0.94 and 0.56 for Qualities and Ability, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, participants rated the LCBDE simulator highly valuable for pediatric surgical education and felt that it could be used as an educational tool with minor modifications.
1 Department of Surgery and Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois.
Ben
B
Schwab
2 Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan Medical School , Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Deborah M
DM
Rooney
1 Department of Surgery and Medical Education, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois.
Eric S
ES
Hungness
3 Department of Surgery and Medical Education, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago, Illinois.
Katherine A
KA
Barsness
D000293:Adolescent; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000601:surgery; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
choledocholithiasis; education; pediatric; simulation; surgery