Formal Assessment of Veterinary Student Surgical Skills
APPENDIX: VETERINARY SURGICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT FORM
Date __/__/____Student Name _____DVM Class _____Course #:_____Evaluator______
1. Surgical preparation (student): scrubbing, gowning, and gloving
1 2
Improper technique, unable to maintain
sterility
2. Surgical preparation (patient):
scrubbing, four corner draping
1 2
Improper technique, incorrect use or
placement of drapes
3. Scalpel handling
1 2
Holds incorrectly, changes grip often
4. Process of making an incision
1 2
Disjointed, unsure movements, depth
uneven
5. Use of forceps on tissue
1 2
Holds incorrectly, awkward or
inappropriate use
6. Needle handling with needle holder
1 2
Repeatedly handles and loads needle
incorrectly,
i.e. not perpendicular to driver and/or
not 2/3 up needle shaft
7. Needle handling when suturing
1 2
Incorrect use and placement of needle,
does not follow curve of needle
8. Quality of finished sutures
1 2
Poor quality (not square) knots, incorrect
knot tension, asymmetric
9. Hemostasis
1 2
Rarely exposes vessels, uses incorrect
technique to obtain hemostasis
10. Use of assistant
1 2
Rarely uses assistant strategically, poor
communication with assistant
11. Knowledge of instruments
1 2
Rarely uses correct instruments, unable
to identify instruments
12. Knowledge of specific procedure
1 2
Deficient knowledge in majority of
steps, needs guidance at each step
TOTAL SCORE (Out of 60) _____
496
Schnabel et al.
3 4 5
Mostly proper technique, hesitates/ Consistently demonstrates proper
inefficient technique, efficient
3 4 5
Mostly demonstrates proper technique Consistently demonstrates proper
and drape placement, hesitates/ technique and drape placement,
inefficient efficient
3 4 5
Holds correctly some of the time, Holds correctly, consistent smooth
occasional awkward movements handling
3 4 5
Somewhat smooth, occasional unsure Smooth, sure movement, depth even
movements, depth generally even
3 4 5
Holds correctly some of the time, Holds correctly consistently, uses
occasional awkward use forceps with precision
3 4 5
Mostly acceptable handling and loading, Consistently smooth handling, loads
occasional incorrect use needle properly, clamps driver onto
needle
3 4 5
Mostly acceptable use and placement, Consistently correct orientation and
occasionally does not follow curve of distance from incision, follows curve
needle of needle
3 4 5
Most knots correct, tension sometimes Square knots, appropriate tension,
incorrect, partially symmetric symmetric
3 4 5
Sometimes exposes vessels and uses Consistently exposes vessels and uses
correct technique correct technique to obtain
hemostasis
3 4 5
Sometimes uses assistant strategically, Consistently uses assistant strategically
generally good communication with and communicates effectively with
assistant assistant
3 4 5
Sometimes uses correct instruments, Consistently uses and is familiar with
not always familiar with instruments correct instruments
3 4 5
Knows important aspects of most steps, Knows all important steps, does not
sometimes needs guidance need guidance to know what to do
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Veterinary Surgery 42 (2013) 488–496 © Copyright 2013 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons