Building a laparoscopic surgical skills training laboratory: resources and support. JSLS 2006;10(3):293-6
Date
01/11/2007Pubmed ID
17212882Pubmed Central ID
PMC3015702Scopus ID
2-s2.0-33846900483 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 17 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Technical skills have historically been developed and assessed in the operating room. Multiple pressures including resident work hour limitations, increasing costs of operating room time, and patient safety concerns have led to an increased interest in conducting these activities in a safe, reproducible environment. To address some of these issues, many residency programs have developed laparoscopic surgical skills training laboratories. We sought to determine the current status of laparoscopic skills laboratories across residency programs.
METHODS: In December 2004, surveys were mailed to all 251 United States general surgery residency program directors. This brief 2-page survey consists of 9 questions regarding laparoscopic skills training laboratories.
RESULTS: Of the 251 mailed surveys, 111 completed surveys were returned (44%). Of the respondents, 81 have laparoscopic skills training laboratories in place (80%). Skills laboratories that used a defined curriculum, and general surgery programs that shared their laboratories with other training programs were determined to have significantly more resources. A wide variety of funding sources have been used to develop and support these skills laboratories.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant variability in training practices and equipment currently used exists between laboratories. A more efficient, standardized approach to skills training across residency programs is a desirable goal for the immediate future.
Author List
Gould JCAuthor
Jon Gould MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Data CollectionFinancial Support
Internship and Residency
Laboratories
Laparoscopy
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
United States