title: Psychometric properties of the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) using item response theory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extent to which each item assessed using the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) contributes to the total score remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the level of difficulty and discriminative ability of each of the 5 GOALS items using item response theory (IRT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 396 GOALS assessments for a variety of laparoscopic procedures over a 12-year time period were included. Threshold parameters of item difficulty and discrimination power were estimated for each item using IRT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The higher slope parameters seen with "bimanual dexterity" and "efficiency" are indicative of greater discriminative ability than "depth perception", "tissue handling", and "autonomy".
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IRT psychometric analysis indicates that the 5 GOALS items do not demonstrate uniform difficulty and discriminative power, suggesting that they should not be scored equally. "Bimanual dexterity" and "efficiency" seem to have stronger discrimination. Weighted scores based on these findings could improve the accuracy of assessing individual laparoscopic skills.
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
authors: Yusuke
authors: Y
authors: Watanabe
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
authors: Amin
authors: A
authors: Madani
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
authors: Yoichi M
authors: YM
authors: Ito
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Bilgic
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
authors: Katherine M
authors: KM
authors: McKendy
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
authors: Liane S
authors: LS
authors: Feldman
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada.
authors: Gerald M
authors: GM
authors: Fried
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650, Ave. Cedar, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada. Electronic address: melina.vassiliou@mcgill.ca.
authors: Melina C
authors: MC
authors: Vassiliou
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D011594:Psychometrics
keywords: Clinical competence; Item response theory; Performance assessment; Psychometric property; Surgical education; Workplace-based assessment