Design of a Comprehensive Evidence-Based Laparoscopy Curriculum for Gynecology Residents

Gynecologists are currently using laparoscopy to perform many surgeries traditionally approached by laparotomy. The technical skills required for laparoscopic surgery are different than the skills required for laparotomy, causing a prolonged learning curve. Currently there is no standardized laparoscopy curriculum for gynecology residents. This study aims to develop a specific evidence-based surgical skills gynecologic curriculum that could be instituted in residency programs at a national and international level. The investigators will then validate the curriculum using Obstetrics and Gynecology residents through a cognitive examination, a technical skills examination, and a video recording of performance in the operating room.

HYPOTHESIS: The investigators aim is to design a standardized evidence-based comprehensive laparoscopic curriculum that focuses on cognitive knowledge, surgical skills, and team training exercises. The investigators hypothesize that residents in the experimental curriculum-trained group will perform better than the residents in the traditional residency curriculum-trained group on a cognitive examination, a technical skills examination, and in the operating room. The operating room performance will be judged by blinded experts on a previously validated evaluation tool.