Development and implementation of a mobile version of the O-SCORE assessment tool and case log for competency-based assessment in urology residency training: An initial assessment of utilization and acceptance among residents and faculty

• Published in: Canadian Urological Association journal Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 45 - 50
• Main Authors: Fitzpatrick, Ryan, Paterson, Nicholas R, Watterson, James, Seabrook, Christine, Roberts, Matthew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Canadian Medical Association 01-02-2019
• Subjects: Original Research
• ISSN: 1911-6470; 1920-1214
• DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.5482

In competency-based models of residency training, work-based assessments of residents' technical skills are essential both for providing formative feedback and for assessing surgical competence. The Ottawa Surgical Competency Operating Room Evaluation (O-SCORE) is a previously validated paper-based evaluation tool created to assess a surgical trainees' operative competence. To address some of the barriers to assessment, we developed and implemented a mobile application that combines the O-SCORE with a surgical case log.
A description of the development implementation process for the mobile O-SCORE and case log is provided. Following implementation, a survey was developed and administered electronically to all faculty and residents within the University of Ottawa's Division of Urology to assess user perceptions and utilization of the application. The survey was administered and data collected via Survey Monkey.
The overall response rate was 94%. The majority of residents (94%) reported that it was easy to log cases with the application and 81% felt that it had a positive impact on their training; 75% of faculty were willing or very willing to complete evaluations when assigned and 66% felt that the application had a positive effect on the quality of feedback they provided.
Overall, faculty and residents felt that our mobile O-SCORE application was user-friendly and valuable as both a surgical log and assessment tool. With surgical programs moving towards competency-based models of training and assessment, the O-SCORE mobile application represents a practical electronic surgical log and work-based assessment instrument that can be easily adopted into any surgical training program.