Managing expectations of surgical training: a national perspective on gynaecologic endoscopy practice

To determine if the opinion of obstetrics and gynaecology postgraduate trainees differs from practising gynaecologists with respect to the expected endoscopic surgical skill set of a general gynaecologist upon graduation from residency.

An electronic survey was designed, validated, and pre-tested. It was sent to 775 Canadian obstetrics and gynaecology residents, fellows, and practising physicians through the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada's electronic mailing list. Survey respondents were asked their opinion on the level of training (no extra post-residency training vs. fellowship) required to perform various endoscopic procedures.

We received 301 responses (39% response rate). Obstetrics and gynaecology trainees and practising physicians agreed on the training and skill level necessary to perform many endoscopic procedures. However, there were significant differences of opinion among trainees and practising physicians regarding advanced endoscopic procedures such as laparoscopic hysterectomy, cystotomy and enterotomy repair, and appendectomy. More trainees felt that a general gynaecologist without additional post-residency surgical training should be competent to perform such procedures, while practising physicians felt fellowship training was necessary.

Our survey highlights the different expectations of learners versus those in practice with regard to skills required to perform certain endoscopic procedures, particularly laparoscopic hysterectomy. Trainees who responded believed that after graduation from residency any obstetrician-gynaecologist should be able to perform more advanced endoscopic procedures, but practising physicians did not agree. This discordance between learners and practising colleagues highlights an important educational challenge in obstetrics and gynaecology surgical training. Greater clarification of what is expected of our training programs would be beneficial for both residents and training programs.