Expectations for Endoscopic Training During Gynaecological Specialty Training – Results of a Germany-wide Survey

Abstract

Endoscopy is an integral part of surgical gynaecology and is playing an increasingly important role in ensuring adequate gynaecological training in the context of specialty training in general. At present, little is known about the expectations and notions of young junior doctors with respect to endoscopic training. For this reason, junior doctors throughout Germany were surveyed on this topic and asked to share their opinions. Methods: Using an anonymized standardized survey, the following information was elicited: importance of endoscopic training, willingness to take courses, expectations for instructors and the hospital, ideas about the number of required operations, both as a surgical assistant and as a surgeon, as well as satisfaction with the current status of training. The questionnaires were sent via the Young Forum (Junges Forum) of the German Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (DGGG) and the newsletter of the Working Group for Gynaecological Endoscopy (AGE). Results: The evaluation of the study was based on 109 completed questionnaires. The resident junior doctors were 31 years old on average and were in their third to fourth year of their specialty training on average. The majority of the participants (87%) considered the learning of endoscopic techniques to be very important and advocated regular participation in endoscopy training courses. Among the participants, 48% were prepared to invest up to €1500 of their own funds to attend courses up to twice a year during the entire specialty training period. The expectations of the instructors and institutions focused on technical expertise, the willingness and time for teaching and on the number and range of surgical procedures, followed by being granted leave for the courses and having costs covered for the courses. Thirty-eight per cent stated that their ex-

Training in obstetrics and gynecology between reality and vision: results of a JAGO–NOGGO survey in 601 physicians (NOGGO—Monitor-12 trial)

“…Notably, international gynecological (oncology) trainees have emphasized the importance of hands-on surgical skills, particularly for complex surgeries and laparoscopies [ 4 , 11 , 12 ]. Our survey supports this view, as trainees reported a preferred minimum of >30 performed laparoscopic surgeries, which is in line with the previous reports [ 8 ]. Only half of the trainees in this cohort reported receiving explicit support for their surgical training, highlighting a significant lack of structured educational guidance.…”

“…A recent survey of German OBGYN residents revealed a high value placed on learning laparoscopic surgical techniques [ 8 ]. However, our study showed that the quality of surgical training in OBGYN was only rated as satisfactory to sufficient, with trainers giving an average rating of 2.7 and trainees giving a rating of 3.7 on a scale from 1 to 6.…”

“…In our survey, trainees were able to meet the targeted numbers for minor surgical procedures outlined in the logbook. However, there is growing international consensus that more complex surgeries, such as hysterectomies, should also be included in core gynecologic training [ 4 , 8 – 10 ]. Our survey revealed that a large proportion of trainees in their final year of training did not achieve the required numbers for these major procedures.…”

The work and training situation for young physicians undergoing specialty training in gynecology and obstetrics in Germany: an assessment of the status quo

“…In 2016 Gabriel et al [34] surveyed 109 resident junior doctors on laparoscopic training within specialist training in Germany. 87% of respondents consider learning minimally invasive techniques to be very important.…”

Europäisierung der deutschen gynäkologisch minimalinvasiven Aus- und Fortbildungskonzepte

“…Die Strukturen der Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Gynäkologische Endoskopie (AGE) der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe e. V. (DGGG) in Bezug zu Aus-und Fortbildung haben zu einer breiten Akzeptanz geführt [1,2]. Erfreulicherweise haben sich sowohl die Assistenzärzte, die jungen Fachärzte als auch die erfahrenen gynäkologischen Operateure durch dieses Ausbildungskonzept angesprochen gefühlt [3]. Zu einer weiten Verbreitung haben sicherlich die Zusammenarbeit mit dem Forum Operative Gynäkologie [4], die zunehmende Anerkennung der AGE durch die DGGG [5] und der Einbau von modernen Übungstechniken [6]…”