title: Laparoscopy training in United States obstetric and gynecology residency programs.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0098, USA. dwstoval@hsc.vcu.edu
authors.forename: Dale W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Stovall
authors.forename: Andrea S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: 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