Postgraduate course in minimally invasive urological surgery

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Education
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Minimally invasive urological surgery is prevalent but challenging for surgeons lacking residency training.
• Postgraduate courses are crucial for acquiring advanced laparoscopic techniques.
• This study assesses the effectiveness of postgraduate courses in minimally invasive urological surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of postgraduate courses on urologists' laparoscopic skills.
• To determine if these courses facilitate the adoption of new procedures in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire assessed the impact of a 10-module postgraduate laparoscopic course on professional activities.
• Demographic data and prior surgical experience were collected from participants over five years.
• Forty-one urologists were enrolled in the study.

Main Results:

• All participants improved their laparoscopic skills, with 73.2% having prior experience and 26.8% being novices.
• All novice participants successfully initiated laparoscopic procedures in their practice.
• The median impact on professional life was rated at 75 out of 100.

Conclusions:

• Postgraduate courses are a suitable method for urologists to gain proficiency in laparoscopic surgery.
• The annual course significantly improved and initiated laparoscopic procedures, positively affecting daily surgical activities.