How much practice makes perfect? A quantitative measure of the experience needed to achieve procedural competence

Abstract

Based on the general learning curve formula, the authors have devised a method to estimate the experience needed to achieve competence in the performance of medical and surgical procedures. The method quantitates the learning ability of the trainee, the technical diflculty of the procedure, and the expected level of competence. Two retrospective applications demonstrate the ease of use and reliability of the method.