Research
Explore the doctoral research programme, international curriculum development, simulation work, validation studies, and performance assessment underpinning SOSATS.
The Research Programme
A doctoral research programme translated into a practical assessment resource.
International curriculum development
Consensus-driven work to define the skills, criteria, and educational priorities for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy training.
Surgical simulation
Simulation provides a controlled environment for developing operative technique and observing technical progression before clinical performance.
Curriculum validation
Validation studies support the relevance, clarity, and educational utility of the curriculum and assessment approach.
SOSATS performance assessment
A structured rating scale for objective assessment of technical performance during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
From evidence to practice
A structured pathway from curriculum design to objective assessment.
The SOSATS programme connects international curriculum development, simulation-based training, validation studies, and structured performance assessment. Together, these strands support reliable observation, constructive feedback, and consistent educational standards.
The work is designed to be practical: research findings are translated into materials that educators, assessors, and institutions can use in training and implementation.
Key findings
Consensus, validation, and measurable differences in performance.
27 of 30
International curriculum elements reached agreement after two modified-Delphi rounds involving experts from 11 countries.
25 of 30
Items achieved at least 80% agreement in content validation by Australian and New Zealand bariatric surgeons.
0.72–0.95
Inter-rater reliability across SOSATS components in the simulated video-rating study.
ρ = 0.782
Positive correlation between SOSATS and the established OSATS Global Rating Scale, supporting concurrent validity.
Domains distinguishing experienced and novice performance included tissue exposure, efficiency of time and motion, operative flow, fundal mobilisation, staple orientation and firing, and dissection to the left crus with avoidance of the gastro-oesophageal junction.