Initial impact of a dedicated postgraduate laparoscopic mini-residency on clinical practice patterns.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic surgical techniques are difficult to master, especially for surgeons who did not receive this type of training during their residencies. We have established a 5-day mentor-preceptor- proctor-guided postgraduate "mini-residency" (M-R) experience in minimally invasive surgery. The initial results from the first 16 participants in the laparoscopic M-R modules are presented.


METHODS
On the first and the last day of the M-R, all participants underwent surgical skills testing using an open-surgery, standard laparoscopic, and robot-assisted laparoscopic format. A written examination was also administered on the last day. The influence of M-R on the participants' practice pattern was then assessed by a follow-up questionnaire survey 1 to 7 months after their attendance.


RESULTS
Data from the first 16 participants were analyzed. Of note, the score was significantly improved for only one of the four tested laparoscopic skills (i.e., threading a suture through loops). Nonetheless, on the follow-up survey, of the 15 respondents, two laparoscopically naïve participants had performed laparoscopic nephrectomy, and of the eight participants who had prior renal-ablative laparoscopic experience, four had performed advanced reconstructive laparoscopic cases.


CONCLUSIONS
A 5-day dedicated postgraduate M-R in laparoscopy appears to be helpful for urologists wishing to incorporate this surgical approach into their practices. The "take rate" among participants is initially at the 40% level, similar to what has been previously reported after a 1 to 2-day hands-on didactic laparoscopy course.
Chou
David S
DS
Department of Urology, University of California Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
Abdelshehid
Corollos S
CS
Uribe
Carlos A
CA
Khonsari
Sephir S
SS
Eichel
Louis
L
Boker
John R
JR
Shanberg
Allan M
AM
Ahlering
Thomas E
TE
Clayman
Ralph V
RV
McDougall
Elspeth M
EM
D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*