Medical students and residents of both sexes have similar learning curves for laparoscopy simulator training

Abstract

BackgroundSimulation-based laparoscopy training is a standard part of modern surgical education. Studies focused on optimizing training for surgical residents have often used medical students as study participants. This has been criticized as medical students might have different prerequisites for surgical skills training due to their limited knowledge and exposure to real-life laparoscopic procedures. Simulation-based training has also been criticized for favouring male trainees due to its resemblance with video games and focus on competition. This study aimed to investigate if there is any difference in skills acquisition between novice surgical residents and medical students for proficiency-based laparoscopic training. Furthermore, to examine if there was a difference between male and female participants. MethodWe did a post-hoc study combining data from 59 participants from four previously published randomized trials. We compared residents with medical students and females with male participants across studies with identical training programs. ResultsThe median time to reach proficiency in the first training program comparison was 295 (IQR: 269-357) and 318 (241-445) minutes, respectively, for the residents and medical students (p=0.87). Male trainees spent 323 (IQR: 281-371) minutes to reach proficiency compared to 318 (IQR: 241-445)minutes for females (p=0.73). In the second training program comparison, the residents and medical students spent 169 (IQR: 123-229) and 165 (IQR: 128-214) minutes (p=0.67), respectively, reaching proficiency. The times for males and females were 166 (IQR: 61-151)minutes and 169 (61-117) minutes, respectively (p=0.74). ConclusionSimilar learning curves were observed for laparoscopic skills acquisition for residents and medical students. No difference was observed between male and female participants for proficiency-based laparoscopy simulator training.