title: Utility of a Validated Rating Scale for Self-Assessment in Microsurgical Training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of self-assessment in microsurgical training using a previously validated rating scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of surgical residents taking a hands-on 5-day microsurgical training course. Learners completed multiple self-assessments of their technical skills using the University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Acquisition/Assessment instrument. Simultaneously, preceptors assessed the learners using the same scale. Self-assessment and preceptor scores were compared using the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant agreement noted between the 32 preceptor assessments and 36 self-assessments that were completed. Correlation between scores for the knot-tying (PCC = 0.62) and anastomosis modules (PCC = 0.77) was good and excellent, respectively. Preceptor scores and self-scores improved over the duration of the course: for preceptors, knot-tying scores increased from 58% on day 1 to 78% on day 5 (p = 0.02) and anastomosis scores improved from 56% to 82% (p = 0.004); for self-scores, knot-tying scores increased from 44% to 81% (p = 0.001) and anastomosis scores from 49% to 84% (p = 0.001). Learners with greater experience (higher postgraduate year level) tended to have higher self as well as preceptor ratings, albeit not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-assessment using the University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Acquisition/Assessment instrument has good to excellent agreement with preceptor-assessment scores suggesting good interrater reliability. Self-assessment using such tools may, therefore, be used along with preceptor supervision and assessment to potentially improve self-directed learning during these courses.
authors.affiliation: Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: aarongrant@rogers.com.
authors.forename: Aaron L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Tom Baker Cancer Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Temple-Oberle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education*; D015588:Observer Variation; D009864:Ontario; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012647:Self-Assessment
keywords: Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; University of Western Ontario Microsurgical Acquisition/Assessment instrument; global rating scale; microsurgery; self-assessment