Use of In-Training Examination Scores as a Fellowship Candidate Evaluation Metric: Time for a Change.

ABSTRACT: In the field of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) administers an annual in-training examination to all OB/GYN residents as a formative educational tool for assessing medical knowledge and promoting self-improvement. Although the CREOG examination is not designed or intended for knowledge certification, many OB/GYN subspecialty fellowship programs request and use CREOG examination scores as a metric to evaluate fellowship candidates. Among the 57 gynecology-based urogynecology fellowship programs, 30 programs (53%) request CREOG examination scores to be submitted by candidates, as of March 2023. Although the use of CREOG examination scores as an evaluation metric may constitute a minor component within the fellowship match process, this practice fundamentally contradicts the intended purpose of the examination as an educational self-assessment. In addition, it introduces the potential for bias in fellowship recruitment, lacks psychometric validity in predicting specialty board examination failure, and shifts the CREOG examination from its original intention as low-stakes self-assessment into a high-stakes examination akin to a certification examination. For these reasons, we call upon the urogynecology community to prioritize the educational mission of the CREOG examination and reconsider the practice of requesting or using CREOG examination scores in the fellowship match progress.

Rates of colpopexy and colporrhaphy at the time of hysterectomy for prolapse.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that addressing apical support at the time of hysterectomy for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) reduces recurrence and reoperation rates. In fact, national guidelines consider hysterectomy alone to be inadequate treatment for POP. Despite this, anterior and posterior colporrhaphy are frequently performed without a colpopexy procedure and hysterectomy alone is often utilized for treatment of prolapse. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine rates of concomitant procedures for POP in hysterectomies performed with POP as an indication, (2) identify factors associated with performance of a colpopexy at the time of hysterectomy for POP, and (3) identify the influence of surgical complexity on perioperative complication rates. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study of hysterectomies performed for POP from Jan. 1, 2013, through May 7, 2014, in a statewide surgical quality database. Patients were stratified based on procedures performed: hysterectomy alone, hysterectomy with colporrhaphy and without apical suspension, and hysterectomy with colpopexy with or without colporrhaphy. Demographics, medical history and intraoperative care, and perioperative care were compared between the groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were created to identify factors independently associated with use of colpopexy and factors associated with increased rates of postoperative complications. RESULTS: POP was an indication in 1557 hysterectomies. Most hysterectomies were vaginal (59.6%), followed by laparoscopic or robotic (34.1%), and abdominal (6.2%). Hysterectomy alone was performed in 43.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.6-45.6) of cases, 32.8% (95% CI, 30.4-35.1) had a colporrhaphy without colpopexy, and 24.1% (95% CI, 22-26.3) had a colpopexy with or without colporrhaphy. Use of colpopexy was independently associated with patient age >40 years, POP as the only indication for surgery (odd ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% CI, 1.185-2.230), laparoscopic surgery (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 2.860-5.153), and a surgeon specializing in urogynecology (OR, 8.2; 95% CI, 5.156-12.923). The overall perioperative complication rate was 6.6%, with the majority being considered minor. Complications were more likely when the procedure was performed with an abdominal approach (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.088-4.686), with the use of a colpopexy procedure (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.840-5.194), and by a surgeon specializing in urogynecology (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.144-4.315). CONCLUSION: Colpopexy and colporrhaphy may be underutilized and are potential targets for quality improvement. Performance of additional procedures at the time of hysterectomy increased the rate of perioperative complications. Long-term consequences of these surgical practices deserve additional study.

The Association Between Distances Traveled for Care and Treatment Choices for Pelvic Floor Disorders in a Rural Southwestern Population.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if distance traveled for care influenced patient choice for conservative vs. surgical treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all new patients seen in the Urogynecology clinic at the University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) from January 2007 through September 2011. Data collected included medical history, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POPQ) examination, and validated quality of life questionnaires. RESULTS: 1384 women were identified with POP and/or SUI. Women traveled an average of 50 miles to receive care at UNMH. After multivariable analysis, greater distance traveled was associated with increased likelihood of choosing surgery, OR 1.45 [1.18-1.76]. More advanced disease as measured by higher stage of prolapse, OR 3.43 [2.30-5.11], and positive leak with empty supine cough test, OR 1.94 [1.45-2.59] were also associated with choosing surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: Women who travel further for care and women with more advanced pelvic organ prolapse and/or stress urinary incontinence are more likely to choose surgical management for pelvic floor disorders.