Background Simulation based technical-skill assessment is a core topic of debate, especially in high-risk environments. After the introduction of the E-BLUS exam for basic laparoscopy, no more technical training/assessment urological protocols have been developed in Europe. Objective We describe the methodology used in the development of the novel Endoscopic Stone Treatment step 1 (EST s1) assessment curriculum. Materials and Methods The "full life cycle curriculum development" template was followed for curriculum development. A CTA was run to define the most important steps and details of RIRS, in accordance with EAU Urolithiasis guidelines. Training tasks were created between April 2015 and September 2015. Tasks and metrics were further analyzed by a consensus meeting with the EULIS board in February 2016. A review, aimed to study available simulators and their accordance with task requirements, was subsequently run in London on March 2016. After initial feedback and further tests, content validity of this protocol was achieved during EUREP 2016. Results The EST s1 curriculum development, took 23 months. 72 participants tested the 5 preliminary tasks during EUREP 2015, with sessions of 45 minutes each. Likert-scale questionnaires were filled-out to score the quality of training. The protocol was modified accordingly and 25 participants tested the 4 tasks during the hands-on training sessions of the ESUT 2016 congress. 134 participants finally participated in the validation study in EUREP 2016. During the same event 10 experts confirmed content validity by filling-out a Likert-scale questionnaire. Conclusion We described a reliable and replicable methodology that can be followed to develop training/assessment protocols for surgical procedures. The expert consensus meetings, strict adherence to guidelines and updated literature search towards an Endourology curriculum allowed correct training and assessment protocol development. It is the first step towards standardized simulation training in Endourology with a potential for worldwide adoption.
Journal of endourology. 2017 Jul 10 [Epub ahead of print]
Domenico Veneziano, Kamran Ahmed, Ben S E P Van Cleynenbreugel, Ali Serdar Gözen, Joan Palou, Kemal Sarica, Evangelos N Liatsikos, Francesco Sanguedolce, Patrick Honeck, Mario Alvarez-Maestro, Athanasios Papatsoris, Panagiotis Kallidonis, Francesco Greco, Alberto Breda, Bhaskar Somani
Universidade do Minho, Braga, Dept of Urology, Braga, Portugal ; ., King's College London, MRC Centre for Transplantation , 5th Floor, Southwark Wing , Guy's Hospital , London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , SE1 9RT ; ., UZ Leuven, Belgium, Urology , Herestraat 49 , Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium , 3000., SLK Kliniken, Urology , am gesundbrunnen 25 , Heilbronn, Germany , 74078., Fundacio Puigvert, 16444, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain ; ., Kartl Lutfi Kırdar Research hospital, Urology , Cevizli , Istanbul, Turkey , 34805 ; ., University of Patras, 37795, Patras, Greece ; ., Fundació Puigvert, Department of Urology , C/Cartagena 340-350 , Barcelona, Spain , 08025 ; ., Medical Center Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Urology , Arthur-Gruber-Straße 70 , Sindelfingen, Germany , 71065 ; ., Hospital Universitario La Paz, 16268, Urology , Paseo de la Castellana 246 , Madrid, Spain , 28046 ; ., Barts and The London NHS Trust, Urology , St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfiled , London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland , EC1A 7BE., University Of Patras, Urology , Univ. Hospital of Patras , Patras, Greece , 26504., Romolo Hospital, Department of Urology and Minimally Invasive Surgery , via S Pertini Loc Cupone , Rocca di Neto (KR), Italy , 88821., Fundacio Puigvert, Urology, Barcelona, Spain ; ., University Hospital Southampton, 105634, Dept of Urology, Southampton, Southampton , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ; .