A comprehensive pelvic dissection course improves obstetrics and gynecology resident proficiency in surgical anatomy.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of a pelvic dissection course on resident proficiency in surgical anatomy.


METHODS
Over a 1-year period, residents attended a course consisting of pretesting and posttesting, lectures, and pelvic dissection. Tests results were analyzed using paired Student t test, analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis statistics.


RESULTS
Of 42 residents, 24 completed all testing (study cohort). On written and practical examinations, resident scores improved a median of 42% and 29% (both P<.0001). Postgraduate year (PGY) 2 demonstrated the greatest improvement on the practical and PGY-3s demonstrated the greatest improvement on the written. Baseline written and practical results discriminated PGY level (construct validity): PGY-2=PGY-3<PGY-4 on written pretest, PGY-2<PGY-3=PGY-4 on practical pretest. No difference between resident cohorts was seen in either posttest.


CONCLUSIONS
Resident surgical anatomy proficiency is measurably improved by a comprehensive course.
Corton
Marlene M
MM
Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Wai
Clifford Y
CY
Vakili
Babak
B
Boreham
Muriel K
MK
Schaffer
Joseph I
JI
Coleman
Robert L
RL
D000715:Anatomy / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004210:Dissection / Q000193:education*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D007396:Internship and Residency; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D010388:Pelvis