Predictors of Laparoscopic Simulation Performance Among Practicing Obstetrician Gynecologists

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2017;217:596.e1–596.e7)Gynecology is a unique surgical specialty in that a large percentage of attending physicians in this field perform a small number of surgical procedures each year. Therefore, there is a greater need compared with other specialties to provide methods by which gynecologists can maintain surgical skills. Simulation has gained acceptance as a useful method for technical skill training and assessment in a variety of surgical specialties. Several studies have demonstrated that simulation training is an effective method for improving laparoscopic surgical performance in surgical residents in obstetrics and gynecology, but few have addressed the use of simulated laparoscopic surgical training in attending surgeons. Evaluating performance as it correlates to active physician practice provides an opportunity for gynecologists to assess their skill and individualize training to maintain skill levels as case volumes fluctuate.