Editorial Commentary: I Am Not a Number! I Am a Resident! Can the Assessment of Surgical Skill Be Reduced to a Score?

Abstract

Competency-based surgical training requires assessment tools, and these should be both valid and reliable. Global rating scales are one such method, with several developed and investigated for use in arthroscopic skills assessment. These global rating scales have shown acceptable reliability and construct validity, most commonly demonstrated using simulated arthroscopic tasks. However, questions remain regarding their readiness for use in the operating room and for the assessment of complex tasks.