WP5: Validity/reliability testing in a simulated environment

Aims

To test the CAP developed in WP3,4 for construct validity and reliability in a simulated environment

Start/finish date (overall duration)

October 08 - April 09

Role and tasks of partners involved

The IDC (lead), CUH, MedicVision and Unigraz will participate. Each of these four partners will contribute to the design of this WP which will be performed at CUH. The IDC will determine the nature of the user input (i.e. automated data from movement of the simulated spinal needle and direct questioning of the doctor undergoing assessment). CUH will verify the clinical relevance of the problems posed. UniGraz will review the CAP output and feedback for accuracy and consistency. MedicVision will apply its experience in "embedding" simulator training devices for optimal immersion.

Working methods and techniques

The partners envisage that this WP will take place in an iterative fashion in which problems or combinations of problems are recurrently applied and tested for validity and reliability.

Expected outcomes/results

1. A WP report (in English and Hungarian) describing the performance, results and conclusions arising from the study

2. A manuscript will be submitted based on the study for publication in a peer review journal.

3. A series of problems and solutions which address elements of the competencies (motor, cognitive, communication and human factors) that are testable. These will be used for generation of the algorithms in WP3.

Quality management tools

The study design and methodology will be reviewed by the expert advisory group prior to commencing data collection. Consistency testing will be performed on the data collected to identify collection artefact or investigator bias. The EAP will also review the summary results and offer advice of the derivation of suitable problems.