Educational Value of an Intensive and Structured Interval Practice Laparoscopic Training Course for Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Four-Year Prospective, Multi-Institutional Recruitment Study

Objective

To assess the educational value of an ongoing interval practice laparoscopy training program among obstetrics and gynecology residents.

Design

Prospective cohort, multi-institutional recruitment study. We conducted structured laparoscopic training sessions for residents, using both inanimate and porcine models. The 6-day course was separated into two 3-day long modules conducted 2 months apart. A prospective evaluation of standardized tasks was performed using validated scales. Resident's performance was compared using the Student t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test when appropriate.

Setting

International Center of Endoscopic Surgery (CICE), Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Participants

191 PGY2 or PGY3 residents from different institutions.

Results

Significant improvement in time and technical scores for both laparoscopic suturing and porcine nephrectomy was noted (p < 0.0001). After 2 months, we found no improvement in suturing time (p = 0.59) or technical scores (p = 0.62), and significant technical deterioration was observed for the right hand (p = 0.02). Porcine nephrectomy improvement remained significant after 2 months (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Despite significant short-term educational value of interval practice in laparoscopic performance, some acquired skills seem to deteriorate faster than anticipated.

Key Words:  education , laparoscopy , skill deterioration , skill retention , structured training

Competencies:  Medical Knowledge , Practice Based Learning and Improvement