Scoring system distinguishes between residents, staff surgeons, based on technical skill

Elliot M. Arthroscopy. 2011. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2011.07.018

A new scoring system outlined in Arthroscopy was able to determine the relative technical skill level in performing diagnostic knee arthroscopies.

In a prospective study, examiners blinded to the education level of the subjects were able to conclude whether a novice, experienced or expert-level subject completed a cadaveric knee arthroscopy based on how well they finished the arthroscopy and how long the procedure took to perform. Subjects were required to assess 15 different areas for 75 points and were awarded another 25 points for a satisfactory completion time, according to the abstract.

Staff surgeons scored the highest in the assessment with a mean of 100 points and 4.6-minute completion time, missing no structures. The second group, which was comprised of residents in postgraduate years 3 to 5, scored a mean 76 points, completed the arthroscopy in a mean 8.2 minutes and did not examine a mean of 1.75 structures during the procedure. The final group, consisting of residents in postgraduate years 1 and 2, completed the procedure in a mean 11.9 minutes, had a mean 28.2 score for the assessment and did not examine a mean of 8.67 structures.