Validation and cultural adaptation to Spanish of the surgical performance feedback rubric (SPR)

Introduction: The training of medical professionals has shifted towards a competency-based model. In this context, the evaluation of surgical competencies is crucial to ensure standards of quality and competence. However, there is still a lack of standardized and validated tools for effective evaluation in our setting. The “Surgical Procedure Feedback Rubric” (SPR) was developed for this purpose but has not been adapted to Spanish. This study aims to translate, validate, and culturally adapt the SPR for use in surgical specialty programs in Latin America. Methods: A prospective observational study of cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the SPR was conducted from May 2020 to September 2021. The linguistic validation included forward and backward translation, review by an expert committee, and comprehension testing. The psychometric validation assessed face, content, convergent validity, internal consistency, and reproducibility. Results: A total of 160 evaluations using the SPR were conducted, of which 129 were suitable for analysis. Cronbach's alpha was 0,9; indicating high reliability. Factor analysis revealed three latent factors related to pre-surgical care, collaboration and communication, and surgical techniques. No significant differences were found in evaluations based on the year of residency or surgical role. Conclusions: The Spanish adaptation of the SPR is a valid and reliable tool for the formative assessment of surgical residents. Its implementation supports the standardization of surgical competency evaluation in Spanish-speaking settings, facilitating effective and precise feedback in surgical training.