Sexual Harassment, Abuse, and Discrimination in Obstetrics and Gynecology: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Unlike other surgical specialties, obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) has been predominantly female for the last decade. The association of this with gender bias and sexual harassment is not known. Objective: To systematically review the prevalence of sexual harassment, bullying, abuse, and discrimination among OB-GYN clinicians and trainees and interventions aimed at reducing harassment in OB-GYN and other surgical specialties. Evidence Review: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted to identify studies published from inception through June 13, 2023.: For the prevalence of harassment, OB-GYN clinicians and trainees on OB-GYN rotations in all subspecialties in the US or Canada were included. Personal experiences of harassment (sexual harassment, bullying, abuse, and discrimination) by other health care personnel, event reporting, burnout and exit from medicine, fear of retaliation, and related outcomes were included. Interventions across all surgical specialties in any country to decrease incidence of harassment were also evaluated. Abstracts and potentially relevant full-text articles were double screened.: Eligible studies were extracted into standard forms. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence of included research were assessed. A meta-analysis was not performed owing to heterogeneity of outcomes. Findings: A total of 10 eligible studies among 5852 participants addressed prevalence and 12 eligible studies among 2906 participants addressed interventions. The prevalence of sexual harassment (range, 250 of 907 physicians [27.6%] to 181 of 255 female gynecologic oncologists [70.9%]), workplace discrimination (range, 142 of 249 gynecologic oncologists [57.0%] to 354 of 527 gynecologic oncologists [67.2%] among women; 138 of 358 gynecologic oncologists among males [38.5%]), and bullying (131 of 248 female gynecologic oncologists [52.8%]) was frequent among OB-GYN respondents. OB-GYN trainees commonly experienced sexual harassment (253 of 366 respondents [69.1%]), which included gender harassment, unwanted sexual attention, and sexual coercion. The proportion of OB-GYN clinicians who reported their sexual harassment to anyone ranged from 21 of 250 AAGL (formerly, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) members (8.4%) to 32 of 256 gynecologic oncologists (12.5%) compared with 32.6% of OB-GYN trainees. Mistreatment during their OB-GYN rotation was indicated by 168 of 668 medical students surveyed (25.1%). Perpetrators of harassment included physicians (30.1%), other trainees (13.1%), and operating room staff (7.7%). Various interventions were used and studied, which were associated with improved recognition of bias and reporting (eg, implementation of a video- and discussion-based mistreatment program during a surgery clerkship was associated with a decrease in medical student mistreatment reports from 14 reports in previous year to 9 reports in the first year and 4 in the second year after implementation). However, no significant decrease in the frequency of sexual harassment was found with any intervention. Conclusions and Relevance: This study found high rates of harassment behaviors within OB-GYN. Interventions to limit these behaviors were not adequately studied, were limited mostly to medical students, and typically did not specifically address sexual or other forms of harassment.

Need for formalized robotic training and curriculum in obstetrics and gynecology residency: an examination of current resident outlooks and perspectives.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate current robotic surgery training methodologies for ACGME-accredited obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residency programs, better understand current resident perspectives, and explore potential areas for improvement within resident education. A cross-sectional study was done of ACGME-accredited OB/GYN residents in the 2023-2024 academic year. The study was done on a national setting via web-based survey. 75 surveys were included. The study was conducted via a 33-question survey study using a mixture of multiple choice, multiple answer, and Likert scale questions. Participants noted that 98.7% of their institutions perform robotic surgery and 90.7% have access to robotic console trainers. Outside of the operating room, slightly more than half of participants (57.3%) have formalized robotics training curriculums. A variety of training modalities were noted to be utilized by residents with the most helpful being hands-on training (67.7%) followed by dual-assist console (45.6%). The least helpful was noted to be online modules (58.7%). Most residents either strongly agree (45.3%) or agree (36.0%) that standardized robotics curriculums should be implemented for all OB/GYN residency programs. The largest barriers to completion of this training were noted to be attending comfort with resident participation in the case (74.0%), personal time (58.9%), and availability or access to trainers (42.5%). A formalized and standardized robotic training curriculum should be considered for OB/GYN residents with a multi-modal model utilizing a combination of training modalities as well as dedicated didactic hours.

The importance of non-technical skills in robot-assisted surgery in gynaecology.

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in gynaecology has undergone exponential growth in recent decades, with utility in treating both benign and malignant gynaecological conditions. The technological complexities and amended theatre dynamics that RAS demands mean that effective non-technical skills (NTS) are vitally important to overcome these unique challenges. However, NTS have been neglected in RAS-training programmes with focus placed instead on the exclusive acquisition of technical skills (TS). NTS include teamwork, communication, leadership, situational awareness, decision-making and stress management. Communication is the most frequently cited NTS impacted during RAS, as the physical limitations imposed by the robotic hardware make communication exchange difficult. The full immersion that RAS enables can contribute to situational awareness deficits. However, RAS can complement communication and teamwork when multidisciplinary (MDT) surgeries (such as complex endometriosis excisions) are undertaken; dual-console capabilities facilitate the involvement of specialties such as general surgery and urology. The development of NTS in RAS cannot be achieved with in-situ experience alone, and current training is poorly standardised. RAS-training programmes and curricula for gynaecology do exist, however the integration of NTS remain limited. Simulation is a viable tool to facilitate enhanced-NTS integration, yet cost implications form a barrier to its wider implementation. However, given that RAS will continue to occupy a greater proportion of the gynaecological caseload, integration of NTS within gynaecological RAS training curricula is necessary. Patients undergoing gynaecological RAS would benefit from the improved safety standards and enhanced surgical outcomes that would result.

Interdisciplinary Simulation Courses to Train Residents on Communication of Unexpected Complications from Perioperative Care: A Randomized Comparison of Within-Event (Microdebriefing) and Postscenario Debriefing.

INTRODUCTION: Training to disclose bad news in a pluridisciplinary format facilitates communication and improves learning. There are many different debriefing methods described in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the value of final debriefing and microdebriefing with interruptions of the scenario in a simulation program about communication in unexpected complications from perioperative care. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, single center study between October 2018 and July 2019 in a simulation center. Three scenarios were related to patient or family disclosure of complications which had occurred during gynecologic surgery by a dyad involving 2 residents (a gynecology and an anesthesia resident). All sessions involved 6 residents (3 gynecologist and 3 anesthesiologist). The main outcome measure was the immediate residents' self-assessment of the impact of the course on their medical practice immediately after the session. RESULTS: We performed 15 simulation sessions including 80 residents. Thirty-nine residents were included in final debriefing group and 41 in micro-debriefing group. There was no significant difference on the impact for medical practice between groups (9.3/10 in the micro-debriefing group versus 9.2 in the final debriefing group (p = 0.53)). The overall satisfaction was high in the 2 group (9.1/10 in the 2 groups). CONCLUSION: This study is the first one to compare two debriefing methods in case of breaking bad news simulation. No difference between the 2 techniques was found concerning the students' feelings and short and long-term improvement of their communication skills.

The Silva pattern-based classification for HPV-associated endocervical adenocarcinoma: A single institution concordance study of trainees and gynecologic pathologists.

The Silva pattern-based classification of HPV-associated endocervical adenocarcinoma has become an integral part of the histologic assessment of these tumors. Unfortunately, the Silva system reproducibility has had mixed results in past studies, and clinical practice still favors the FIGO stage assessment in directing therapeutic interventions for patients. In our study, we aimed to assess our institution's concordance including not only gynecologic pathologists, but also pathology trainees through a series of 69 cases. The grouped total kappa concordance from all participants was 0.439 (Moderate), with an overall trainee kappa of 0.417 (moderate) and an overall pathologist kappa of 0.460 (moderate). Perfect concordance among all 10 study participants was seen in 8/69 cases (11.6 %), corresponding to 5/22 Pattern A cases (22.7 %), 0/16 Pattern B cases (0 %), and 3/31 Pattern C cases (9.7 %), with similar findings between trainees and pathologists when compared within their own cohorts. Recurrence was identified in 2 Pattern A cases, indicating a potential issue with limited excisional specimens which may not fully appreciate the true biologic aggressiveness of the lesions.

Can an in-person hands-on applicator-based teaching session improve trainee knowledge and comfort with complex gynecologic brachytherapy?

INTRODUCTION: With the emergence of imaged-based planning and hybrid applicators the complexity of gynecologic brachytherapy has dramatically increased. Despite the known advantages of brachytherapy, notable national declines in utilization of brachytherapy have been documented. Clearly improved education in the sphere of gynecologic brachytherapy is needed. We hypothesize that a hands-on applicator-based training session would improve trainee comfort with gynecologic brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An in-person, applicator-based, hands-on training session was held with trainees from both radiation and gynecologic oncology programs. Trainees practiced assembling and handling applicators while receiving instruction on clinical scenarios in which various applicators are used in gynecologic cancer brachytherapy. Pre- and post-session, participants were administered an objective test of 10 pictorial-based case vignettes to quantify ability to select the correct applicator based on the interpretation of T2-weighted MR images. Participants additionally received a subjective survey to quantify comfort and experience with gynecologic brachytherapy using Likert-type question formatting. RESULTS: A total of 14 trainees participated. Most common case volume experience was 0-10 intracavitary (57%), 0-10 hybrid (71%), and 0-10 interstitial (71%). Pre-session, the most common answer to comfort level was "not comfortable still learning" for all brachytherapy types, and most common answer to largest gap in knowledge was all facets of brachytherapy. Average case-based test score was 3.5/10 pre-session versus 5.3/10 post-session (p = 0.028). Post-session, all respondents reported improved comfort level with brachytherapy. Post-session, most common answer to largest gap in knowledge was applicator/patient selection, and applicator/patient selection was also the largest area of identified improvement. 100% of participants felt repeating the session in the future would be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: Hands-on training with applicators improves both subjective and objective comfort with gynecologic brachytherapy. With 100% of participants requesting to implement this session into resident training, we suggest national opportunities might exist to expand educational processes and improve utilization of complex gynecologic brachytherapy in practice.

The Future of Basic Science: Development of the Next Generation of Mechanistic Researchers in Female Pelvic Medicine.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) brought together senior and junior members actively engaged in scholarly and educational activities for a consensus conference centered on developing a strategy for sustainable training of the next generation of mechanistic researchers in female pelvic medicine. METHODS: Four a priori identified major foci were explored in a half-day virtual consensus conference. Participants included representatives from various countries and disciplines with diverse backgrounds-clinicians, physician-scientists, and basic scientists in the fields of urogynecology, biomechanical engineering, and molecular biology. Following a keynote address, each focus area was first tackled by a dedicated breakout group, led by the Chair(s) of the most relevant IUGA committees. The break-out sessions were followed by an iterative discussion among all attendees to identify mitigating strategies to address the shortage of mechanistic researchers in the field of female pelvic medicine. RESULTS: The major focus areas included: research priorities for IUGA basic science scholar program; viable strategies for sustainable basic science mentorship; core competencies in basic science training; and the challenges of conducting complex mechanistic experiments in low-resource countries. Key gaps in knowledge and core competencies that should be incorporated into fellowship/graduate training were identified, and existing training modalities were discussed. Recommendations were made for pragmatic approaches to increasing the exposure of trainees to learning tools to enable sustainable training of the next generation of basic science researchers in female pelvic medicine worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: The attendees presented multiple perspectives to gain consensus regarding critical areas of need for training future generations of mechanistic researchers. Recommendations for a sustainable Basic Science Scholar Program were developed using IUGA as a platform. The overarching goal of such a program is to ensure a successful bench-to-bedside-and-back circuit in Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, ultimately improving lives of millions of women worldwide through scientifically rational effective preventative and therapeutic interventions.

Procedure-specific simulation for vaginal surgery training: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Vaginal surgery has a superior outcome profile compared with other surgical routes, yet skills are declining because of low case volumes. Graduating residents' confidence and preparedness for vaginal surgery has plummeted in the past decade. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether procedure-specific simulation skills, vs usual training, result in improved operative competence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We completed a randomized controlled trial of didactic and procedural training via low fidelity vaginal surgery models for anterior repair, posterior repair (PR), vaginal hysterectomy (VH), recruiting novice gynecology residents at three academic centers. We evaluated performance via global rating scale (GRS) in the real operating room and for corresponding procedures by attending surgeon blinded to group. Prespecified secondary outcomes included procedural steps knowledge, overall performance, satisfaction, self-confidence and intraoperative parameters. A priori sample size estimated 50 residents (20% absolute difference in GRS score, 25% SD, 80% power, alpha 0.05). CLINICALTRIALS: gov: Registration no. NCT05887570. RESULTS: We randomized 83 residents to intervention or control and 55 completed the trial (2011-23). Baseline characteristics were similar, except for more fourth-year control residents. After adjustment of confounders (age, level, baseline knowledge), GRS scores showed significant differences overall (mean difference 8.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2-16.1; p = 0.044) and for VH (mean difference 12.0; 95% CI: 1.8-22.3; p = 0.02). The intervention group had significantly higher procedural steps knowledge and self-confidence for VH and/or PR (p < 0.05, adjusted analysis). Estimated blood loss, operative time and complications were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to usual training, procedure-specific didactic and low fidelity simulation modules for vaginal surgery resulted in significant improvements in operative performance and several other skill parameters.

Teaching principles of electrosurgery to OBGYN trainees via simulation: A hands-on approach.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons use electrosurgery daily, though most of them are unfamiliar with its basic safety principles. METHOD: We have designed a hands-on simulation session to teach OBGYN trainees principles of electrosurgery with practical implications for safety in the operating room. 15 participants completed post-session surveys. EXPERIENCE: Our experience of serially refining teaching materials and electrosurgery demonstrations resulted in a comprehensive guide to electrosurgery in OBGYN. CONCLUSION: This report will allow surgeon educators to implement simulation training in their institutions.

Understanding Medical Students' Concerns about Explicit Informed Consent for Pelvic Exams Under Anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Medical student involvement in procedures, including pelvic exams under anesthesia (EUAs), is a fundamental part of medical education. While guidelines exist regarding informed consent for medical student participation, there is ongoing debate and uncertainty regarding the requirement and modality of obtaining explicit consent for pelvic EUAs. This study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of medical students who do not favor an explicit informed consent process for pelvic EUAs. METHODS: An anonymous online questionnaire was distributed to third- and fourth-year medical students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine who had completed their obstetrics and gynecology core clerkship. The questionnaire included both quantitative and qualitative sections. Qualitative analysis was conducted using a mixed inductive and deductive coding approach, with key patterns, categories, and themes identified through content analysis. RESULTS: Among the 201 students included in the analysis, 50 students did not endorse an explicit informed consent process for pelvic EUAs. Themes that emerged from their open-ended responses included: (1) the belief that medical student involvement is implicitly included in patient agreements at teaching hospitals; (2) the perception that pelvic EUAs are an essential first step in gynecologic surgery; (3) the view that pelvic EUAs are comparable to other medical procedures; (4) concern that explicit consent would limit educational opportunities; and (5) the belief that pelvic EUAs are not harmful or traumatic to patients. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the justifications provided by medical students who do not support explicit informed consent for pelvic EUAs. While some arguments align with previous ethical analyses, this study provides empirical and qualitative insights into students' perspectives. The belief that patients implicitly consent to medical student involvement at teaching hospitals warrants further examination, as patient awareness and understanding may vary. The differentiation between pelvic exams and other EUAs, as well as the perception of minimal harm, should be critically evaluated in the context of trauma-informed care and patient autonomy. Furthermore, the interconnectedness of educational and surgical aspects of pelvic EUAs should be clarified in patient-physician communication. CONCLUSION: Understanding the perspectives of medical students who do not favor explicit consent for pelvic EUAs is crucial for developing and implementing consent processes. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced patient-physician communication, standardized frameworks for learner involvement, and curricular adaptations to address patient perceptions and trauma-informed care. Future research should explore these themes in larger and more diverse cohorts to inform best practices in obtaining informed consent for medical student participation in pelvic EUAs.

Trends in Urogynecologic Surgery Among Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents From 2002 to 2022.

IMPORTANCE: The number of American women with a pelvic floor disorder is projected to increase from 28.1 million in 2010 to 43.8 million in 2050. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in the number of urogynecologic procedures performed by graduating obstetrics and gynecology residents and to compare variability in volume between residents in the 70th and 30th percentiles for logged cases. STUDY DESIGN: National case log measures for residents who graduated between 2003 and 2022 were reviewed. Mean case numbers and variability in case numbers were analyzed over time. RESULTS: Data were collected from a median of 1,216.5 residents (range, 1,090 to 1,427) annually. Mean number of vaginal hysterectomies logged per resident decreased by 46.4% from 2002/2003 to 2021/2022 ( P = 0.0007). Mean number of urogynecology procedures increased by 1,165.5% from 2002/2003 to 2007/2008 ( P = 0.0015). Mean number of incontinence and pelvic floor procedures (including cystoscopies) increased by 190.9% from 2002/2003 to 2011/2012 ( P = 0.0002). Mean number of incontinence and pelvic floor procedures (excluding cystoscopies) decreased by 39.7% from 2012/2013 to 2021/2022 ( P < 0.0001). Mean number of cystoscopies increased by 19.7% from 2012/2013 to 2021/2022 ( P < 0.0001). Ratios of cases logged by residents in the 70th percentile to those in the 30th percentile decreased for vaginal hysterectomies and cystoscopies ( P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0040, respectively). The ratio for incontinence and pelvic floor procedures (excluding cystoscopies) was 1.76 in 2012/2013 and 2.35 in 2021/2022 ( P = 0.2878). CONCLUSION: Resident surgical training in urogynecology is decreasing nationally.

The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) Vulvar Awareness Day Campaign: Knowledge of Vulvovaginal Diseases Among Italian Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to investigate vulvovaginal disease (VVD) awareness in Italian obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 25-question survey on VVD basic knowledge (17 questions) and willingness to improve it (8 questions) was distributed through Ob/Gyn resident online group chats, from different Italian Universities in January 2023. A total number of 250 residents were invited to participate; 124 responses were obtained (response rate: 50%). Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics through REDCap. RESULTS: Overall, 87 of the 124 respondents (70%) fully completed the questionnaire and represented the study group. Residents were distributed among years of residency: 15% first year, 31% second year, 23% third year, 11% fourth year, and 20% fifth year. Most (60%) never attended a VVD clinic during residency, with an increasing percentage of attendance in later residency years (15% at first year vs 65% at fifth).Participants reported low knowledge of vulvar precancerous lesions and vulvoscopy but better knowledge of vaginitis, vulvar self-examination, and lichen sclerosus. Of the respondents, 50% were not satisfied with the education provided during residency, and more than 60% lacked confidence in managing VVD.All participants expressed a strong desire to improve their knowledge and skills, with 100% agreeing that every gynecologist should know the "basics" and 98% wanting to improve their knowledge through webinars (45%), lessons (34%), newsletters, and videos (19%). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate a significant need to improve VVD knowledge among Italian Ob/Gyn residents. Further efforts are necessary to provide information about VVD and comprehensive training programs in Italian Universities.

Modification of Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Manual Tasks Simulation Curriculum With the Addition of the Vaginal Cuff Closure Training.

OBJECTIVE: Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) is a multiple-choice test and a manual skills exam using simulation that Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residents must pass to qualify for board certification. There is insufficient validity evidence supporting the use of FLS as a high-stakes exam. This study examines the correlation between OBGYN residents' performance on the FLS manual tasks and simulated vaginal cuff closure. METHODS: We compared residents' performance on FLS tasks with simulated vaginal cuff suturing on a model. During the first coached simulation session, after completion of training on the standard 5 FLS tasks, residents were coached on vaginal cuff closure using a simulated model placed inside the standard FLS box trainer. At a subsequent session, their performance was scored using the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills Scale (GOALS) and a second task-specific metric, and these scores were compared to their official FLS score. RESULTS: Twenty-nine residents completed the vaginal cuff simulation training between June 2019 and November 2021. Nineteen of the 29 were able to complete the cuff closure with the mean time to completion being 14.5 minutes. We found no correlation between official manual skills FLS scores and vaginal cuff GOALS scores (rho = -0.02, p = 0.90) or cuff closure assessment tool score (rho = -0.015, p = 0.048). There was also no correlation between time to completion for any FLS task and vaginal cuff closure OSAT scores. All residents reported that they found the cuff to be a useful addition to the FLS curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that trainee performance on a simulated vaginal cuff closure model did not correlate with official FLS manual tasks skills. This finding adds to the body of evidence disputing the use of FLS as a high-stakes exam to assess laparoscopic skills in gynecology in the relationship with other variables category.

Prior-Guided Attribution of Deep Neural Networks for Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) are areas of medicine that specialize in the care of women during pregnancy and childbirth and in the diagnosis of diseases of the female reproductive system. Ultrasound scanning has become ubiquitous in these branches of medicine, as breast or fetal ultrasound images can lead the sonographer and guide him through his diagnosis. However, ultrasound scan images require a lot of resources to annotate and are often unavailable for training purposes because of confidentiality reasons, which explains why deep learning methods are still not as commonly used to solve OB/GYN tasks as in other computer vision tasks. In order to tackle this lack of data for training deep neural networks in this context, we propose Prior-Guided Attribution (PGA), a novel method that takes advantage of prior spatial information during training by guiding part of its attribution towards these salient areas. Furthermore, we introduce a novel prior allocation strategy method to take into account several spatial priors at the same time while providing the model enough degrees of liberty to learn relevant features by itself. The proposed method only uses the additional information during training, without needing it during inference. After validating the different elements of the method as well as its genericity on a facial analysis problem, we demonstrate that the proposed PGA method constantly outperforms existing baselines on two ultrasound imaging OB/GYN tasks: breast cancer detection and scan plane detection with segmentation prior maps.

[The Association of Surgical Oncology (ACO) curriculum "Surgical oncology"-Prerequisites for participation, registration and course]. / Das ACO-Kurrikulum "Chirurgische Onkologie" ­ Voraussetzungen zur Teilnahme, Anmeldung und Ablauf.

For solid malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, surgical removal is a central pillar of treatment and often the only possibility to achieve a long-term cure. While there are additional qualifications for an oncological subspecialization in other surgical disciplines, such as gynecology or urology nothing comparable exists for visceral surgery in Germany, despite the fact that interdisciplinary cancer treatment strategies are becoming increasingly more complex. The Association of Surgical Oncology (ACO) in cooperation with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) has created the curriculum for surgical oncology, a structured further education concept, which concludes with the European Board of Surgical Qualification (EBSQ) examination. This results in a standardization and improvement in surgical and oncological treatment in Germany. Furthermore, successful graduates receive an ACO as well as a UEMS certificate and are Fellows of the European Board of Surgery (FEBS).

Learning Pelvic Anatomy and Pathology Through Drawing: An Interactive Session in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship.

Introduction: Within undergraduate medical education, there is a gap between students' understanding of anatomy and application of that knowledge within surgical specialties. The integration of drawing, in conjunction with traditional learning, has been shown to increase retention and understanding of information. Currently, no educational curriculum integrates drawing to aid in medical students' understanding of surgical pelvic anatomy. We anticipated that the utilization of drawing anatomy in an OB/GYN clerkship would enhance students' ability to explain surgical pelvic anatomy and pelvic pathology. Methods: At the beginning of the OB/GYN clerkship, third-year medical students participated in an interactive, 1.5-hour session requiring them to draw pelvic anatomy, present their work, and explain topics related to pelvic surgery and pathology to the other clerkship students. At the end of their clinical rotation, the students were invited to complete a five-item survey to assess long-term retention and understanding of concepts presented in the session. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for all categorical/ordinal variables to describe survey participants and question responses. Results: Thirty-seven of 44 respondents (84%) reported that the anatomy interactive session prepared them for the surgical portion of the OB/GYN clinical rotation. Thirty-five respondents (80%) reported that drawing the pelvic structures helped their understanding of pelvic pathology; 33 respondents (75%) reported they had a thorough understanding of pelvic anatomy after taking the OB/GYN anatomy interactive educational session (p < .001). Discussion: Our session shows that integrating drawing and anatomy increases students' ability to discuss pelvic pathology and surgical anatomy.

Comparing proficiency of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees with general surgery trainees using simulated laparoscopic tasks in Health Education England, North-West: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Training programmes for obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) and general surgery (GS) vary significantly, but both require proficiency in laparoscopic skills. We sought to determine performance in each specialty. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Health Education England North-West, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 47 surgical trainees (24 O&G and 23 GS) were subdivided into four groups: 11 junior O&G, 13 senior O&G, 11 junior GS and 12 senior GS trainees. OBJECTIVES: Trainees were tested on four simulated laparoscopic tasks: laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN), hand-eye coordination (HEC), bimanual coordination (BMC) and suturing with intracorporeal knot tying (suturing). RESULTS: O&G trainees completed LCN (p<0.001), HEC (p<0.001) and BMC (p<0.001) significantly slower than GS trainees. Furthermore, O&G found fewer number of targets in LCN (p=0.001) and dropped a greater number of pins than the GS trainees in BMC (p=0.04). In all three tasks, there were significant differences between O&G and GS trainees but no difference between the junior and senior groups within each specialty. Performance in suturing also varied by specialty; senior O&G trainees scored significantly lower than senior GS trainees (O&G 11.4±4.4 vs GS 16.8±2.1, p=0.03). Whilst suturing scores improved with seniority among O&G trainees, there was no difference between the junior and senior GS trainees (senior O&G 11.4±4.4 vs junior O&G 3.6±2.1, p=0.004). DISCUSSION: GS trainees performed better than O&G trainees in core laparoscopic skills, and the structure of O&G training may require modification. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05116332).

Assessing Endoscopic Suture Performance of Gynecology and Obstetrics Residents Following Methodic Training.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of residents in gynecology and obstetrics before and after practicing laparoscopic sutures, to establish when the training shows the best results, in addition to comparing whether being in different years of residency influences this progression. METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving 32 medical residents evaluated with a pretest to establish their previous knowledge in laparoscopic suture. This test consisted of knotting two wires, one made of polypropylene and the other of polyglactin, with a blocking sequence of five semi-knots. We set a 30-minute limit to complete the task. Then, the residents held four training meetings, focusing on suture, Gladiator rule, knot, and symmetries, in addition to executing blocking sequences. A second test to establish progress was performed. RESULTS: Regarding the time spent to make the stiches using polyglactin wire, a statistically significant time improvement (p < 0.01) was observed, with a 10.67-minute pretraining median (mean 12.24 minutes) and a 2.53-minute posttraining median (mean 3.25 minutes). Regarding the stitches with polypropylene wire, a statistically significant time improvement (p < 0.05) was also observed, with a 9.38-minute pretraining median (mean 15.43 minutes) and a 3.65-minute posttraining median (mean 4.54 minutes). A total of 64.2% of the residents had been able to make the knot with polypropylene previously. One hundred percent were able to complete the task in the posttest. CONCLUSION: Model training using the Gladiator rule for laparoscopic suture improves the knotting time with statistically similar performance, regardless of the year of residency, after systematic training.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a performance de residentes em ginecologia e obstetrícia antes e depois de praticarem suturas laparoscópicas, com o intuito de estabelecer quando o treinamento mostra os melhores resultados, comparando se estar em diferentes da residência influencia essa progressão. MéTODOS: Um estudo coorte prospectivo envolvendo 32 médicos residentes avaliados com um teste pré-treinamento para avaliar seus conhecimentos prévios em sutura laparoscópica. Esse teste consistia em atar nós em dois fios, um de polipropileno e o outro de poliglactina, com uma sequencia de bloqueio de cinco seminós. Definiu-se um limite de 30 minutos para se completar a tarefa. Depois, os residentes tiveram quatro reuniões de treinamento, focadas em sutura, técnica da Regra do Gladiador, nós e simetria, executando, ainda, uma sequência de pontos. Um segundo teste foi feito para avaliar o progresso. RESULTADOS: Com relação ao tempo para realizarem os pontos com fio de poliglactina, uma melhora de tempo estatisticamente significativa (p < 0.01) foi observada, com uma mediana de 10.67 minutos no pré-treinamento (média de 12.24 minutos) e uma mediana de 2.53 minutos no pós-treinamento (média de 3.25 minutos). Com relação ao fio de polipropileno, uma melhora de tempo estatisticamente significativa (p < 0.05) também foi observada, com uma mediana de pré-treinamento de 9.38 minutos (média de 15.43 minutos) e uma mediana de pós-treinamento de 3.65 minutos (média de 4.54 minutos). Um total de 64.2% dos residentes foram capazes de realizar os nós com polipropileno inicialmente. Cem por cento do residentes foram capazes de completar a tarefa no pós-teste. CONCLUSãO: O modelo de treino usando a técnica da Regra do Gladiador para sutura laparoscópica melhora o tempo de atar nós com uma performance estatisticamente similar, não havendo diferenças quanto ao ano da residência, após treinamento sistematizado.

The routes of hysterectomy: A survey of current practices amongst members of the International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy (ISGE).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the current opinion on the routes of hysterectomy amongst the members of the International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy (ISGE), as well as the perceptions of potential barriers that inhibit gynaecologists from offering a minimally invasive hysterectomies (MIHs) to their patients. STUDY DESIGN: An anonymous, electronic survey was designed, including the questions about the surgeon location and length of gynaecological practice, preferred approach to hysterectomy, approximate number of surgical cases performed during the year preceding the survey (2021), and potential barriers and contraindications to performing MIHs. It was validated by 12 practicing gynaecologists. Subsequently, the survey was sent to all practicing gynaecologists who are the members of the ISGE. RESULTS: We received a response from 159 members of ISGE (29 % response rate), of which 92 % with ≥ 5 years in practice since the completion of their residency training in Gynaecology and Obstetrics. When asked about the preferred route of hysterectomy for themselves or their relatives, 59 % chose total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), 19 % vaginal hysterectomy (VH), 8 % chose laparoscopically-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) and 5 % chose total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). However, TAH was the most performed hysterectomy procedure undertaken by the respondents in the year preceding the survey. When asked about the main obstacles to performing MIHs, more than half of the respondents highlighted insufficient training during residency and insufficient surgical experience. Only 25 % of the responders acknowledged reading the ISGE guidelines on performing vaginal hysterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to a full understanding of the benefits of MIHs, lack of training, as well as insufficient surgical experience and unawareness of existing evidence-based guidelines were the main reasons for the high rate of TAH among the ISGE members who participated in the study. All efforts should be directed at teaching VH and TLH techniques during residency, continuous acquisition of practical experience, and use of validated patient selection guidelines for MIH in daily clinical practice.