Objective metrics for the evaluation of simple surgical skills in real and virtual domains

Authors:
Louise Moody;Chris Baber;Theodoros N. Arvanitis;Martin Elliott
Affiliations:
Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK B15 2TT;Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK B15 2TT;Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK B15 2TT;Cardiothoracic Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, UK WCIN 3JH
Venue:
Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments
Year:
2003

Citing 1
Cited 3

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Abstract

Surgical skills are traditionally assessed through subjective evaluation with experienced surgeons observing and rating trainee activity. However, this process can be expensive, particularly in terms of the time required of expert surgeons. Subjective assessment may also suffer from problems of intersubject variation in the application of evaluation criteria. Computer-based training, in particular systems combining virtual reality interfaces with haptic displays, offers a means of providing both automated and objective assessment of performance. In this paper we propose that, prior to the development of such systems, there is a need to determine measures that can adequately differentiate levels of performance. The paper therefore discusses the evaluation of surgical technique using objective metrics. Two main questions are addressed. How can surgical technique be assessed? What metrics prove useful in defining and modifying surgical skills and techniques?