Objective Assessment of Skills in Intraocular Surgery (OASIS)

Abstract

To establish an objective ophthalmic surgical evaluation protocol to assess residents' surgical competency and improve residents' surgical outcomes. Eight experts in resident education from comprehensive ophthalmology, cornea, glaucoma, and retina services; 2 chief residents (postgraduate year 5 [PGY5]); and resident representatives from PGYs 2, 3, and 4 participated in the development of an objective assessment tool of skills in resident cataract surgery. Analysis of all resident cataract surgeries performed at our service from July 2001 to July 2003 led to the development of a 1-page objective evaluation form to assess residents' skills in cataract surgery. A panel of surgeons at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary reviewed the database and the evaluation form and provided constructive feedback. Development of a unique database of all resident cataract cases and constructive feedback by experts in resident teaching assisted in creating a 1-page evaluation form entitled Objective Assessment of Skills in Intraocular Surgery (OASIS). OASIS has face and content validity and can be used to assess, objectively, surgical events and surgical skill. We believe the OASIS evaluation form and database will be a valuable tool for assessing ophthalmology residents' surgical skills at other residency programs as well.