Validation of a Comprehensive Evidence-Based Laparoscopic Curriculum for Gynecology Residents

Abstract

Simulation has become the cornerstone of teaching surgical procedures in all surgical subspecialties. Limited operating room resources and patient safety drive this trend. Gynecology lacks any standardized curriculum for teaching residents about surgical procedures, specifically laparoscopy. The purpose of this study was to design a comprehensive laparoscopic surgery curriculum for gynecology residents.The initial step of the study determined that there was a desire to implement a standardized laparoscopy-training program in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. Residency Program Directors were surveyed as to their current methods of laparoscopy education as well as their interest in a standardized curriculum. The second step of the study used a Delphi technique to determine the elements that should be included in the standardized curriculum. Expert gynecologic laparoscopists performed the identified virtual reality tasks in order to set proficiency benchmarks in the final part of the study.%%%%M.Sc.