Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40025515›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2025

A Delphi-based needs assessment to identify and prioritise procedural skills through consensus for simulation-based learning in neurosurgery.

Adam F Roche, Dara O Kavanagh, Darach Crimmins, Vincent Healy, Gulam Zilani, Lars Konge, Leizl Joy Nayahangan, Danyal Z Khan, Daniel Murray, Javier Francisco Cuello and 3 more

Abstract readConsensus Statement
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Adam F RocheRCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 26 York Street, Dublin 2, D02 P796, Ireland. adamfroche@rcsi.com.
Dara O KavanaghDepartment of Surgical Affairs, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Darach CrimminsDepartment of Neurosurgery, Temple Street Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Vincent HealyDepartment of Neurosurgery, Temple Street Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Gulam ZilaniDepartment of Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Lars KongeCopenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES), The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Leizl Joy NayahanganCopenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES), The Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Danyal Z KhanNational Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
Daniel MurrayDepartment of Neurosurgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Javier Francisco CuelloDepartment of Neurosurgery, Hospital Cordero, San Fernando, Argentina.
Caitriona CahirData Science Centre, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
Niamh MurphyRCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 26 York Street, Dublin 2, D02 P796, Ireland.
Claire M CondronRCSI SIM Centre for Simulation Education and Research, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, 26 York Street, Dublin 2, D02 P796, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTraining of the neurosurgeon today differs greatly from that of the past, with several well-documented challenges contributing to reduced operative time for current cohorts. The Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) in the UK and Ireland have stated that simulation-based education (SBE) is part of the solution to tackle this training crisis. Our objective was to develop a prioritised list of technical skills through consensus with key opinion leaders (KOLs). This approach aimed to enhance understanding of the essential procedures that should shape a technical skills framework for neurosurgical simulation-based learning curricula.

methodsWe utilised a modified Delphi process and Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation (CAMES) Needs Assessment Formula (NAF) to reach consensus. A total of 71 procedures were included for initial analysis, which were extracted from all phases of the JCST curriculum and subsequent brainstorming with KOLs. A five person steering group oversaw the process, to ensure a robust methodological approach was followed at all stages.

resultsFor each of the three Delphi rounds, there were 32, 30, and 31 KOL responses, respectively. A prioritised list of 47 procedural skills was generated through consensus. The top three ranking procedures were patient positioning, pinning positions and flap design, intracranial pressure (ICP) probe insertion and external ventricular drain (EVD) insertion. Emphasis was placed on acute cranial trauma, degenerative spine, neuro-oncology and CSF diversion procedures as the categorical themes of highest priority.

conclusionsWe describe a multi-jurisdiction general needs assessment for technical skills in neurosurgical simulation training. This study will inform the design of future simulation-based learning curriculum in this sphere of training.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceNeeds AssessmentNeurosurgeryNeurosurgical ProceduresSimulation TrainingCurriculumDelphi TechniqueHumansNeurosurgeryPatient safetySimulationTechnical skills

Identifiers

PMID40025515
PMCPMC11871727

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.