Development of the HUman Factors in intraoperative Ophthalmic Emergencies Scoring System (HUFOES) for non-technical skills in cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND

Nontechnical skills (NTS) are fundamental for successfully managing intraoperative complications. We aimed to develop the HUman Factors in intraoperative Ophthalmic Emergencies Scoring System (HUFOES); an NTS assessment system for posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery.

METHODS

A literature review and a focus group consisting of three cataract surgeons and one NTS researcher elicited the important NTS for the management of intraoperative cataract surgery complications. A novel taxonomy of NTS specific for PCR management was generated. Questionnaires were distributed to ophthalmologists in one UK training region. Delphi methodology was used to develop a final HUFOES draft. One further questionnaire was used to gain feasibility, educational impact and validity data.

RESULTS

All HUFOES components achieved a mean importance rating of >8/10 and achieved high interrater agreement ratings (α = 0.953). Interrater agreement scores for HUFOES categories were: teamwork and communication (α = 0.819), leadership (α = 0.859), decision making (α = 0.753), situational awareness (α = 0.840) and professionalism (α = 0.890). In all, 92.8% (n = 13) rated HUFOES as specific for use, 85.7% (n = 12) agreed it contains appropriate assessment measures, 92.8% (n = 13) agreed that training with HUFOES would enhance preparation for PCR management and 78.6% (n = 11) declared HUFOES as the preferable training system for NTS in intraoperative ophthalmic emergencies when compared with the current gold standard.

CONCLUSIONS

HUFOES has been developed and validated as a tool for the training and assessment of NTS in PCR. An NTS training programme integrated with HUFOES should be considered in order to enhance surgical NTS for managing intraoperative complications, and improve performance and outcomes following PCR.