Regional training program of laparoscopy: impact on regional care

In response to large numbers of requests for laparoscopic sterilization, the University of North Carolina began a training program to provide this service on a regional basis throughout the state. This report reviews the final distribution of centers providing these services: one within 50 miles of every person in the state. The clinical experience of 30 private physicians (excluding experience of residency training programs) was reviewed and found to parallel the national experience in provision of services, in complications, and in pregnancies. The brief but intense training program (2 days at the University of North Carolina and one morning at the physician's hospital) was found to result in rates of complications and failures similar to national levels of performance. Should the demand for laparoscopic sterilization increase in the coming years, the region has sufficient numbers of safely trained physicians to respond.