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Resident Satisfaction with Laparoscopic Training in Saudi Arabia
Rashad M Nassar1, Faris M Allaf1, Mohammed M Abualgasem1
1Department of Urology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Drs. Nassar, Allaf, Abualgasem, Ghabbani, El-Tholoth, Alzahrani, and Alruwaily).
Summary
Surgical residents in Saudi Arabia report intermediate laparoscopic skills, with suturing being a weak area. Skill level correlates with training frequency and confidence, not just equipment access.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Medical Training Quality Assessment
Background:
- Resident satisfaction is a key indicator of surgical training program quality.
- Limited national data exists on laparoscopic training satisfaction in Saudi Arabia.
- Assessing resident satisfaction and its link to laparoscopic skills is crucial for improving training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate resident satisfaction with laparoscopic training in Saudi Arabia.
- To determine the relationship between self-rated laparoscopic skills and training factors.
- To identify areas for improvement in surgical residency programs.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted from January to June 2025.
- Included surgical residents across various specialties in Saudi Arabia.
- Calculated a composite skills score and analyzed associations with trainee factors.
Main Results:
- Self-rated laparoscopic skills were intermediate, with suturing identified as the weakest domain.
- Higher skill scores correlated with resident seniority, frequent practice (≥twice weekly), program satisfaction, and operative confidence.
- No significant association was found between skill level and sex, region, hospital type, or basic simulator access.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic skills among residents are intermediate, highlighting a specific deficit in suturing.
- Skill acquisition is influenced by practice frequency and learner confidence, not solely by equipment availability.
- Training programs should implement structured, proficiency-based practice sessions with regular feedback to enhance surgical competence.
