An alumni survey as a needs assessment for curriculum improvement in obstetrics and gynecology

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements recommend using outside measures to perform annual residency program evaluations to identify areas for program improvement.

The aim of the study was to identify areas for residency program improvement via an alumni survey.

An anonymous online survey was sent to the last 10 years of graduates from our obstetrics and gynecology residency program.

Response rate was 63% (34 of 54). All respondents reported being comfortable serving as gynecologic consultants. More than 75% (26 of 54) reported being comfortable performing abdominal hysterectomies, vaginal hysterectomies, basic and complex laparoscopies, and vaginal surgery. Regarding management of urologic injuries, the participants' responses varied, with 58% (20 of 34) reporting they felt prepared, 21% (7 of 34) with neutral responses, and 21% (7 of 34) reporting they felt unprepared. For total laparoscopic hysterectomy, 65% (22 of 34) reported feeling prepared, 29% (10 of 34) reported they felt unprepared, and 9% (3 of 34) reported they felt neutral. All respondents indicated that he or she would still choose the obstetrics and gynecology residency program at the University of Michigan.

An alumni survey can provide useful outside measures for training programs to assess their effectiveness in preparing their graduates for independent practice. Results of alumni surveys can provide a blueprint for program improvement.