Time for an Education Revamp? A Cross-Sectional Multi-Institute Survey of FMIGS Program Directors and Fellows’ Didactics Experiences

Abstract

<h3>Study Objective</h3> Currently there is no comprehensive standardized didactics curriculum for fellowships in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (FMIGS). The purpose of this study was to determine the current state of didactic education and the perceptions that program directors (PDs) and fellows have regarding a standardized curriculum. <h3>Design</h3> Cross-sectional study using a survey of AAGL FMIGS program directors and current fellows. <h3>Setting</h3> AAGL FMIGS programs. <h3>Patients or Participants</h3> The survey was distributed to all FMIGS fellows and PDs. <h3>Interventions</h3> An anonymous multi-item web-based survey was distributed and open for responses between February and March 2022. <h3>Measurements and Main Results</h3> Fifty-seven fellows (39% of current fellows) and 87 PDs (58% of current PDs) completed the survey. The average number of days per week in the operating room was 3.47 (SD 0.68). Seventy-eight percent of programs had a current structured educational curriculum. The average hours dedicated to education per month was 4.20 (SD 2.96). Fellows identified the most important educational resources as: FMIGS core reading list, FMIGS surgical video curriculum, online resources and simulation. Eighty-eight percent of PDs reported utilizing the FMIGS education objectives and reading list in creation of their curriculum. Of the fellows surveyed, 59% reported that there is not enough structure in their curriculums. Eighty-five percent of fellows and 70% of PDs stated their education programs could be improved. A large majority (78% of fellows and 64% of PDs) agreed that all fellows should learn the same content. Ninety-one percent of all respondents stated that all fellows should have access to the same educational resources. Seventy-four percent of all respondents agreed that participating in a standardized didactic curriculum would help fellows transition into independent practice. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This study demonstrates a potential need for a standardized, structured didactics curriculum for fellowships in minimally invasive gynecology as indicated by both fellows and program directors.