A prospective evaluation of a simulator-based laparoscopic training program for gynecology residents.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
To determine prospectively if simulator-based laparoscopic training could improve laparoscopic skills of gynecology residents.

STUDY DESIGN:
Twenty-six gynecology residents were enrolled in a laparoscopy training curriculum involving didactics, self-paced learning modules, and graded simulator-based laparoscopic training modules. Six simulator tasks were developed to introduce incremental levels of difficulty. Residents were tested on bead/peg manipulation, passing of a specially designed "key," cutting of lines and circles on a two-layer latex glove, and laparoscopic suturing followed by both intra- and extracorporeal knot tying. Times for each task and penalties for errors were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of training.

RESULTS:
Twenty-six residents completed initial baseline and 3-month evaluations. Average summary time (including 30-seconds penalties for each error) at baseline was 64 minutes and 36 minutes at 3-month evaluation (p < 0.001). For PGY1 baseline summary times averaged 83 minutes compared with 50 minutes at 3 months (p = 0.006). For PGY4 baseline summary times averaged 49 minutes compared with 28 minutes at 3 months (p = 0.05). All individual tasks demonstrated substantial improvement (p < 0.001) from baseline to 3-month evaluation. Baseline summary scores demonstrated correlation between PGY training year and overall score (p < 0.001) consistent with earlier ability and training. Three-month scores demonstrated equalization of skill level across PGY2 through PGY4.

CONCLUSIONS:
A dedicated simulator-based laparoscopic training curriculum has the ability to improve basic laparoscopic skills in a gynecologic residency, as measured by timed and scored simulator tasks. Construct validity was demonstrated by measuring substantial improvement in performance with increasing residency training, and with practice.

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Author information

Author/s: Kirby, Tyler O (TO); Numnum, T Michael (TM); Kilgore, Larry C (LC); Straughn, J Michael (JM);

Affiliation: West Coast Gynecologic Oncology, Clearwater, FL, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Evaluation Studies; Journal Article

Journal: Journal of the American College of Surgeons (J Am Coll Surg), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Feb; vol 206 (issue 2) : pp 343-8

Dates: Created 2008/01/28; Completed 2008/02/14;

PMID: 18222390, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Clinical Competence
Competency-Based Education - organization & administration
Gynecology - education
Humans
Internship and Residency
Laparoscopy

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