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The value of laparoscopic skills courses
George Condous1, Dalya Alhamdan, Tommaso Bignardi
1Centre for Advanced Reproductive Endosurgery (CARE), Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. gcondous@hotmail.com
Summary
Hands-on laparoscopic skills courses significantly improve gynaecologists' knowledge and motor skills. These intensive training programs offer short-term, measurable gains in laparoscopic proficiency.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Gynaecology
Background:
- Laparoscopic surgery requires specialized skills.
- Effective training methods are crucial for surgical proficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a hands-on laparoscopic skills course for gynaecologists.
- To assess improvements in both subjective knowledge and objective motor skills.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study of gynaecologists attending a five-day intensive course.
- Pre- and post-course assessments included visual analog scoring (VAS) for subjective knowledge, multiple-choice questions (MCQs), and motor skill tasks.
- Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in subjective knowledge (VAS) and objective MCQ scores (71% to 84.5%).
- Marked enhancement in motor skill performance was noted in the dry laboratory setting.
- Twenty-four gynaecologists, including specialists and trainees, participated.
Conclusions:
- Hands-on laparoscopic skills workshops effectively enhance both the knowledge base and motor skills of gynaecologists.
- These courses provide short-term, measurable improvements in surgical skills.
- Further research is needed to determine if these skills translate to improved operating room performance.
