The Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric for Panretinal Photocoagulation

Abstract

To develop an internationally valid skill-based rubric that can be used as a global standardized platform for teaching, training, and evaluation of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in training programs. A panel of educators and experts in retinal lasers was assembled to develop a standardized objective skill-based rubric. Sixteen international educators and retina specialists. The steps to performing slit-lamp delivery of PRP was described in detail. A group of 6 authors reviewed and agreed on the steps and assigned descriptors to expectation levels of novice, beginner, advanced beginner, and expert according to a modified Dreyfuss model. The tool then was vetted by an international panel of 10 retina specialists who are involved in training ophthalmologists in other countries. Final version of the tool agreed on by the international review panel. The consecutive steps to performing PRP were outlined and broken down into preparation, procedure, and postoperative care. Descriptive words explaining what to expect from a novice, beginner, advanced beginner, and expert were listed for each step of PRP. Expert comments were incorporated, establishing face and content validity. This group of authors clearly defined expectations of a trainee at 4 levels of training according to the modified Dreyfus model, and an international panel of retina specialists agreed to its accuracy. This tool, the International Council of Ophthalmology's Ophthalmology Surgical Competency Assessment Rubric for Panretinal Photocoagulation, has face and content validity. It can be used globally in training programs bothtoteach and assess this important comprehensive skill in ophthalmic training.