title: A National Needs Assessment to Identify Technical Procedures in Vascular Surgery for Simulation Based Training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Practical skills training in vascular surgery is facing challenges because of an increased number of endovascular procedures and fewer open procedures, as well as a move away from the traditional principle of "learning by doing." This change has established simulation as a cornerstone in providing trainees with the necessary skills and competences. However, the development of simulation based programs often evolves based on available resources and equipment, reflecting convenience rather than a systematic educational plan. The objective of the present study was to perform a national needs assessment to identify the technical procedures that should be integrated in a simulation based curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A national needs assessment using a Delphi process was initiated by engaging 33 predefined key persons in vascular surgery. Round 1 was a brainstorming phase to identify technical procedures that vascular surgeons should learn. Round 2 was a survey that used a needs assessment formula to explore the frequency of procedures, the number of surgeons performing each procedure, risk and/or discomfort, and feasibility for simulation based training. Round 3 involved elimination and ranking of procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate for round 1 was 70%, with 36 procedures identified. Round 2 had a 76% response rate and resulted in a preliminary prioritised list after exploring the need for simulation based training. Round 3 had an 85% response rate; 17 procedures were eliminated, resulting in a final prioritised list of 19 technical procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A national needs assessment using a standardised Delphi method identified a list of procedures that are highly suitable and may provide the basis for future simulation based training programs for vascular surgeons in training.
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: leizl.joy.nayahangan@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Nayahangan
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Konge
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.affiliation: MidtSim - Centre for Human Resources, Central Region of Denmark and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paltved
authors.affiliation: NordSim - Centre for Skills Training and Simulation, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Lindorff-Larsen
authors.affiliation: Sim-C - the Simulation Centre of Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: B U
authors.initials: BU
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation, The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Vascular Surgery, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Eiberg
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D003697:Delphi Technique; D003718:Denmark; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D000070856:High Fidelity Simulation Training; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*
keywords: Curriculum development; Needs assessment; Simulation; Simulation based education; Vascular surgery