title: Endoscopy teaching in Canada: a survey of obstetrics and gynecology program directors and graduating residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the current state of basic and advanced gynecologic endoscopy teaching in Canadian Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) residency programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  On Institutional Research Board approval, 2 pretested anonymous questionnaires were developed: one distributed to all Canadian Ob/Gyn program directors and a second to graduating residents (Canadian Task Force classification III). Two mailings were sent to maximize response, and some department chairs received personal telephone calls by the senior author to encourage participation. Residents on maternity leave were excluded from the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen of 16 (94%) program directors, and 47 of 62 (76%) residents participated. Directors expect all residents to be knowledgeable and competent performing basic endoscopic procedures on graduation. However, considerable variation exists among programs that teach advanced endoscopy. Some of the more important factors limiting integration of advanced endoscopic teaching include paucity of trained faculty, lack of attending interest, scarcity of operating time, and financial constraints. Most graduating residents consider undertaking additional gynecologic endoscopy fellowships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most Ob/Gyn program directors and graduating residents consider endoscopic surgery essential to contemporary practice. There is consensus to improve resident teaching in gynecologic endoscopy and commitment to better prepare future practitioners to ensure patient safety. Paucity of trained faculty and fiscal constraints appear to be important limiting factors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Endoscopy, St. Josephs Health Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ternamian
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leyland
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tolomiczenko
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D008486:Physician Executives; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires