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Novel statistical method provides individualized assessment for basic arthroscopic tasks
The application of the Cumulative Summation Test for Learning Curve provided individualized assessments of performance and quantitatively demonstrated competency for basic arthroscopic tasks among orthopedic trainees, according to a recent study.
Orthopedic trainees in postgraduate year 1 through 5 performed diagnostic knee arthroscopy before being evaluated intraoperatively with a validated 10-point knee task-specific checklist (TSCL) and 50-point global rating scale. Researchers considered a score of 40 points or greater for the global rating scale and eight points or greater for the knee TSCL to indicate a successful procedure.
For the Cumulative Summation Test for Learning Curve analysis, a 10% failure rate was classified as adequate performance, a 30% failure rate was classified as inadequate performance and an acceptable deviation from adequate performance was defined as 10%.
During the 12-month study period, 20 trainees performed a total of 340 consecutive procedures. Median number of arthroscopic procedures performed per trainee was 16.5.
After a median of 16 procedures, the researchers found 8 trainees (40%) achieved competency in knee arthroscopy for the TSCL, whereas only one trainee (5%) achieved competency for the global rating scale after 14 procedures. Multiple trainees were able to achieve competency for both the TSCL and global rating scale through threshold-adjusted curves stratified by postgraduate year level, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: Veillette received support from Smith & Nephew, Biomet and Stryker.