Improving how surgical skills are measured and evaluated

Scientific Foundations for Assessment of Surgical Technical Skills

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-10911172

This study is looking for better ways to check how well surgeons perform their skills during surgery, using video recordings to help train surgical residents and doctors in fields like urology, gynecology, and orthopedics, all to make sure patients get the best care possible.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10911172 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance the assessment of surgical technical skills, which are crucial for patient outcomes. It focuses on developing objective and cost-effective methods to evaluate these skills among surgical residents and practitioners. By analyzing video footage of surgeries and identifying biases in human raters, the study seeks to establish a more reliable evaluation system across various surgical specialties, including urology, gynecology, and orthopedic surgery. The ultimate goal is to improve surgical training and ensure better patient care.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are surgical residents and practitioners in urology, gynecology, and orthopedic surgery who are involved in surgical training.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgical procedures or are not involved in surgical training may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate assessments of surgical skills, ultimately improving patient outcomes and safety during surgeries.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that addressing biases in skill evaluation can lead to improved training outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.