ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the development and evaluation of the Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) system. Like similar systems in civil aviation and anaesthesia, the behaviour rating system was based on a skills taxonomy which was developed with subject matter experts. The aim of the NOTSS project was to develop and test an educational system for assessment and training based on observed skills in the intra-operative phase of surgery. Practical tips to aid surgeons embed non-technical skills observations into clinical practice were included, as was advice for surgical trainers planning to use NOTSS with higher surgical trainees. Inguinal hernia repair and laparoscopic cholecystectomy were typical operations observed during the trial but it was recommended that specific use of NOTSS be determined by the educational needs of the trainees. An online post-trial questionnaire was used to establish if using NOTSS was of any value as an adjunct to the available surgical education and assessment methods.
