When the authors are reporting clinical outcomes of a study using any technique, including injections or application of plaster of Paris as well as a surgical intervention, the authors should report the levels of expertise of the surgeons who performed the procedure with citation of the Tang and Giddings' article entitled "Why and how to report surgeons' levels of expertise".
Tang JB, Giddins G. Why and how to report surgeons' levels of expertise. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2016 May;41(4):365-6.
Levels of expertise of the surgeons in reporting outcomes of treatment. (Table 1. from Tang et al. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2016.)
Levels/category |
Criteria |
1. Non-sepcialist |
A surgeon who is in training or is a general practitioner. |
2. Specialist - less experienced |
A surgeon who has completed training, but who has not yet acquired in-depth knowledge or high-volume experience in the use of the technique(s). |
3. Specialist - experienced |
A surgeon who has obtained appreciable experience in use of the relevant technique(s), having practiced as a specialist over a longer period (typically >5 years). |
4. Specialis - highly experienced |
A specialist who possesses in-depth knowledge and experience with use of the relevant technique(s). This experience is indicated by having performed or been involved as a leading participant in scholastic studies relevant to the disorder(s) or technique(s). |
5. Expert |
A highly experienced specialist who has made a recognized contribution to knowledge related to the disorder being investigated,b or who has pioneered the technique(s) in the report. |