Validating simulation and assessment devices in surgery: a review

There are standard criteria for scientific soundness that should be used to guide the development of all measures. The most important of these are val idity and reliability. These criteria ensure that the data produced can be used with a reasonable level of confidence. This paper reviews the procedur es required to demonstrate the validity and reliability of surgical simulat ors. It is concluded that those involved in developing surgical simulators should focus their efforts on demonstrating the construct validity and test -retest reliability of the devices.