title: Long-term professional performance of minimally invasive surgery post-graduates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate the contribution of a post-graduation program in surgeons professional careers.
  
  
  METHODS
  participants were asked to answer a questionnaire with questions related to possible changes in their professional performance after the end of the course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  forty-three (76.7%) of the 56 participants eligible for the study responded to the questionnaires. Most participants, 32 (74.4%), had previous contact with laparoscopic surgery; however, only 14 (32.5%) reported the experience as primary surgeon. The expectations on the course were reached or exceeded for 36 (83.7%) participants. Thirty-seven (86%) incorporated minimally invasive procedures in their daily surgical practice, 37 (86%) reported improvements in their income above 10% and 12% reported income increase of over 100%, directly related to their increase of laparoscopic activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the program in minimally invasive surgery provides a high level of satisfaction to its participants, enables them to perform more complex technical procedures, such as sutures, and improves their professional economic performance.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo de Paula
authors.initials: Mde P
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.affiliation: Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Christiano Maggi
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Claus
authors.affiliation: Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Aimoré
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bonin
authors.affiliation: Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cury Filho
authors.affiliation: Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danielson
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dimbarre
authors.affiliation: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Trauczinski
authors.affiliation: Legacy Institute of Surgical Innovation and Research, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Swanstrom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D057566:Self Report; D013997:Time Factors