A valid model for testing and training laparoscopic psychomotor skills

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the face and construct validity of the Laparoscopic Skills Testing and Training (LASTT) model, developed by the European Academy of Gynaecological Surgery (EAGS) for assessing laparoscopic psychomotor skills (LPS). This study is designed based on the Canadian Task Force II-1. This study was conducted in workshops organised by the EAGS in 2008 and 2009. One hundred ninety-nine gynaecologists were classified in three groups according to their exposure to laparoscopy (G1: no/little, G2: intermediate, G3: important). Participants performed three repetitions of three exercises (E1: camera navigation, E2: hands-eyes coordination, E3: bimanual coordination) with measurable objectives to accomplish within a limited time frame. The face validity of the model was assessed by an 11-item questionnaire using a 10-cm visual analogue scale. Q1-Q8 evaluated its capacity for testing and training LPS and Q9-Q11 its relevance for actual laparoscopic surgery. The score of each exercise was obtained by dividing the time to correct performed exercise by the number of objectives effectively accomplished. The correlation between E1-E3 scores and the level of exposure to laparoscopy was evaluated, and the scores of the different groups were compared to assess the construct validity. Participants gave a favourable opinion about the model without inter-group differences. In E1-E3, the scores correlated with the level of previous exposure to laparoscopic procedures, moreexperienced participants achieving better results than lessexperienced participants. The data demonstrate the face and construct validity of the LASTT model, suggesting that it can be a useful tool for training and evaluation of LPS in surgical disciplines that perform laparoscopic procedures.

Laparoscopic skills training using inexpensive box trainers: which exercises to choose when constructing a validated training course

“…However, many of the available exercises are not validated for their intended purpose. We provide, next to the exercises validated in this study, an overview of the currently available and validated exercises for box or video trainers (Figure S1 and Table S1) 1,6,19,25–40 . This overview may be helpful for trainers and programme directors in the selection of the appropriate training exercises in constructing a training curriculum.…”

“…This overview may be helpful for trainers and programme directors in the selection of the appropriate training exercises in constructing a training curriculum. Most of the exercises can be constructed by the instructor 6,25,26 or are readily commercially available 17,22,23,27–30 …”

Retention of laparoscopic psychomotor skills after a structured training program depends on the quality of the training and on the complexity of the task

“…To facilitate the training and assessment of three specific basic laparoscopic psychomotor skills (i.e., camera navigation, hand-eye coordination, and bimanual coordination), the European Academy of Gynecological Surgery has developed an inanimate box model (i.e., the Laparoscopic Skills Testing and Training (LASTT) model) and demonstrated its feasibility, its face validity (the realism of the method), and its construct validity (the ability of the method to differentiate between novices and experts) [6, 7]. …”

Design and implementation of a proficiency-based, structured endoscopy course for medical students applying for a surgical specialty

“…As a feasible and validated tool, we preferred the LASTT method over the American Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery training program because the validation process of this model was done in our laboratory,14,15 so much of the validation data and learning curves were available and therefore, models were easily accessible.…”

“…The model was inserted into the Szabo trainer box (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). All exercises were developed and validated at our training center 14,15…”