Results of a Novel Long-Term Method for Laparoscopic Skills Online Training

Ensuring patient safety in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) within the field of pediatric surgery requires systematic and extensive practice. Many groups have proposed mastery learning programs encompassing a range of training methods. However, short courses often have a narrow focus on specific objectives, limiting opportunities for sustained training. Our aim was to analyze our results with an online long-term competency-based and supervised training. This is a retrospective cohort study with prospective data collection of scores and performance of trainees during online courses from October 2020 to April 2023. All participants (n = 76) were able to set up their personal training gym and complete the intensive stage of the course. The total score evolved from 2.60 ± 0.56 at the first meeting to 3.67 ± 0.61 at the fourth meeting, exhibiting a significant difference (P < .013). A considerable drop out was observed in the follow-up stage, with only 53.8% of the participants completing the course. When compared with the first meeting, they also showed a significant improvement with a mean general score of 3.85 ± 0.25 (P < .013) We have presented a novel online training program, based on continuous training that demonstrated that the unlimited access to a personal training gym allows surgeons to improve and maintain MIS skills.