Assessing current trends in resident hysterectomy training

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Surgery
• Surgical Education
• Robotic Surgery

Background:

• Hysterectomy remains a core procedure in obstetrics and gynecology (OG) training.
• The increasing adoption of robotic surgery raises questions about its impact on resident surgical skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current hysterectomy experience in US OG residency programs.
• To evaluate resident and program director perceptions of robotic surgery's effect on surgical training.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to program directors and graduating residents in 42 US OG programs.
• Data collected included perceptions of surgical preparedness and the impact of robotic surgery on training.

Main Results:

• Graduating residents reported adequate experience in vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies but not laparoscopic or robotic.
• A significant percentage of residents and program directors felt graduating residents were not fully prepared for all hysterectomy types.
• Both groups perceived robotic surgery as negatively impacting national surgical training.

Conclusions:

• Graduating residents achieve proficiency in traditional hysterectomy methods but face challenges with newer techniques.
• Concerns exist regarding the adequacy of surgical training in the context of evolving technologies like robotic surgery.
• Further interventions are necessary to ensure residents attain comprehensive surgical competence in essential gynecologic procedures.