Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 May;48(3):423-429.
doi: 10.1111/coa.14015. Epub 2023 Jan 20.

Comparative validity of three simulation platforms for objective assessment of otoscopy skills

Oloruntobi Rotimi  1 , Adam Haymes  1 , Isobel Dodds  1 , Mahmood Bhutta  1   2
Affiliations

Comparative validity of three simulation platforms for objective assessment of otoscopy skills

Oloruntobi Rotimi et al. Clin Otolaryngol. 2023 May.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the face, construct and content validity of three different platforms for otoscopy skills assessment, using a traditional otoscope with manikin, digital otoscope (Tympahealth) with manikin, and traditional otoscope with a low-cost model ear (SimEar).

Design: Prospective mixed methods study.

Setting: Tertiary hospital.

Participants: Postgraduate trainees and expert assessors.

Main outcome measures: Face and Content validity based on expert assessor ranking on each model and their feedback from semi-structured interviews. Construct validity based on Objective Structured Clinical Examination scores.

Results: Each platform differed in face, construct and content validity scores, with no one platform consistently outperforming others. Three main themes were identified during thematic analysis of expert assessor interviews: ability to assess what is seen, anatomical reality, and ease of use. The low-cost model showed greatest potential, where modification to include a silicone ear could lead to high validity with marginal increase in cost.

Conclusion: Several modalities for assessing otoscopy skills exist, each with advantages and disadvantages. Modifications to a low-cost model, for use with either a traditional or digital otoscope, could prove to be the best model.

Keywords: OSCE; Otoscopy; digital otoscope; medical education; training methods.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

REFERENCES

    1. Paul CR, Higgins Joyce AD, Beck Dallaghan GL, Keeley MG, Lehmann C, Schmidt SM, et al. Teaching pediatric otoscopy skills to the medical student in the clinical setting: preceptor perspectives and practice. BMC Med Educ. 2020;20(1):429. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33198733/
    1. Salisbury C, Procter S, Stewart K, Bowen L, Purdy S, Ridd M, et al. The content of general practice consultations: cross-sectional study based on video recordings. Br J Gen Pract. 2013;63(616):e751-9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24267858/
    1. Williamson I, Benge S, Mullee M, Little P. Consultations for middle ear disease, antibiotic prescribing and risk factors for reattendance: a case-linked cohort study. Br J Gen Pract. 2006;56(524):170-5. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16536956/
    1. NHS Digital. Hospital accident & emergency activity 2020-21-NHS Digital [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Nov 14]. Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hos...
    1. You P, Chahine S, Husein M. Improving learning and confidence through small group, structured otoscopy teaching: a prospective interventional study. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;46(1):68. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29282128/

LinkOut - more resources