• Terance T Tsue, James W Dugan, and Brian Burkey.
• Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. ttsue@kumc.edu
• Otolaryngol. Clin. North Am. 2007 Dec 1; 40 (6): 1237-59, vii.

AbstractTechnical skill is only one component of overall surgical competency, but it has been one of the most difficult to measure. Assessment methods are currently subjective and unreliable, and include techniques such as operative logs, end-of-rotation global assessments, and direct observation without criteria. Newer objective methods of technical skill assessment are being developed and undergoing rigorous validation, including methods such as direct observation with criteria, final product analysis, and hand-motion analysis. Following the example set in other fields in which high-stakes assessment is paramount, such as in aviation, virtual reality simulators have been introduced to surgical competency assessment and training. Significant work remains to integrate these assessments into both training programs and practice and to demonstrate a resultant improvement in surgical outcome.

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