Laparoscopy training in United States obstetric and gynecology residency programs.
OBJECTIVE
To assess laparoscopic training curriculums in US Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs.


METHODS
A list of E-mail addresses was obtained for the accredited Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs in the US from the CREOG Directory of Obstetric-Gynecologic Residency Programs and Directors. An E-mail survey containing 8 questions regarding laparoscopy training was sent to all residency directors with current E-mail addresses.


RESULTS
Seventy-four residency directors responded to the survey for a response rate of 41%. Residency programs from all sections of the US were included in the study. Results of the survey indicate that 69% of residency programs had implemented a formal laparoscopy training program. At least half of the program directors surveyed stated that lack of faculty time and funds were the main barriers to laparoscopic surgery training. Seventy-two percent of those surveyed thought that in the future the health-care industry would demand proof of competency in laparoscopy as standard of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Most US Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs have implemented a formal laparoscopy training curriculum, use more than one method to train their residents, and involve almost half of their faculty on average in training residents to perform laparoscopic surgery.
Stovall
Dale W
DW
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0098, USA. dwstoval@hsc.vcu.edu
Fernandez
Andrea S
AS
Cohen
Stephen A
SA
D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D011361:Professional Competence; D014481:United States