Feasibility and Effectiveness of Direct Observation of Procedure Skills (DOPS) in General Surgery discipline: a Pilot Study

Direct observation of procedure skills (DOPS) is one of the workplace-based assessment methods supposed to be effective in enhancing learning surgical skills of the trainee doctors. Keeping in view the changing scenario in medical training, we undertook the present study to assess feasibility and effectiveness as a learning tool to enhance suturing skills among students and to know the perception of the students and faculty. This study involved 30 surgical trainees who were assessed over a period of 4 months. Assessments were scheduled in operation theatre, and assessors’ observations were recorded, and structured feedback was given before the next session. Assessment continued till desired competency was achieved. Student and assessor response was collected at the end in predesigned questionnaire using 5-point Likert scale. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (paired t-test and Friedman test with post hoc analysis). DOPS encounter ranged from 9 to 14 min, and feedback time was 3 to 8 min. 96.6% trainees needed 3 sessions to attain desired competency. The mean time taken for completing the procedural skill reduced with successive DOPS encounters, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). There was a statistically significant improvement in global summary scores depending on the number of DOPS encounters the trainees underwent, χ2(2) = 55.622, p < 0.01. Satisfactory scores and Likert scale responses revealed it is a feasible and acceptable technique. Direct observation of procedure skills is not only feasible but also effective technique in surgical skill learning.