A laparoscopic surgical training and accreditation program up and running

Beginning in March 1997, a training and accreditation program in laparoscopic surgery was established at our hospital according to the training guidelines provided by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) (1, 2). Registrars were accredited upon satisfactory completion of supervised surgery at each training level. Consultants seeking clinical privileges in advanced laparoscopic surgery were asked to submit a formal application. By August 1998, 143 minor laparoscopic procedures had been formally assessed resulting in 8 of 9 registrars successfully completing training to level 2 laparoscopy. Thirty-three of 83 (39.8%) advanced laparoscopic procedures were directly supervised and an experienced laparoscopic surgeon was available, if required, for a further 15 procedures. Two consultants undertook additional supervised training before being granted full accreditation for level 3 laparoscopic procedures. Another 2 consultants have been given provisional accreditation for level 3 procedures. Although challenging, implementation of the RANZCOG guidelines on training and accreditation in laparoscopic surgery is quite possible. Greater efforts should be undertaken to establish these guidelines as the 'gold standard' for hospital accreditation committees.