An At-Home Laparoscopic Curriculum for Junior Residents in Surgery, Obstetrics/Gynecology, and Urology

Laparoscopic surgery requires significant training, and prior studies have shown that surgical residents lack key laparoscopic skills. Many educators have implemented simulation curricula to improve laparoscopic training. Given limited time for dedicated, in-person simulation center practice, at-home training has emerged as a possible mechanism by which to expand training and promote practice. There remains a gap in published at-home laparoscopic curricula employing embedded feedback mechanisms.

We developed a nine-task at-home laparoscopic curriculum and an end-of-curriculum assessment following Kern's six-step approach. We implemented the curriculum over 4 months with first- to third-year residents.

Of 47 invited residents from general surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and urology, 37 (79%) participated in the at-home curriculum, and 25 (53%) participated in the end-of-curriculum assessment. Residents who participated in the at-home curriculum completed a median of six of nine tasks (interquartile range: 3-8). Twenty-two residents (47%) responded to a postcurriculum survey. Of these, 19 (86%) reported that their laparoscopic skills improved through completion of the curriculum, and the same 19 (86%) felt that the curriculum should be continued for future residents. Residents who completed more at-home curriculum tasks scored higher on the end-of-curriculum assessment (p = .009 with adjusted R ² of .28) and performed assessment tasks in less time (p = .004 with adjusted R ² of .28).

This learner-centered laparoscopic curriculum provides guiding examples, spaced practice, feedback, and graduated skill development to enable junior residents to improve their laparoscopic skills in a low-stakes, at-home environment.