Since the advent of laparoscopic gynaecology, and its widespread adoption over the last few decades, two opposing trends have become apparent: trainees' increasingly limited opportunities as primary operator at laparoscopy, and the steep learning curve to become a competent laparoscopic surgeon. These opposing trends combine to mean that trainees worldwide find it increasingly challenging to gain competence as laparoscopic surgeons during their basic training.
In addition, rising medico-legal concerns further strengthens the argument for mandatory pre-operative laparoscopic simulation training for all trainees: it is becoming increasingly difficult to defend a trainee who encounters a complication whilst attempting basic laparoscopic skills in a patient, that could have been learnt in a simulated setting.
Laparoscopic simulation training has been shown to help fill this gap, by providing trainees with the opportunity to develop both basic and advanced laparoscopic skills, alongside skills gained during actual laparoscopic operations. However, there remains a need for a standardised simulation training and certification program across Australia and New Zealand.
Over the last five years, the European Academy of Gynaecological Surgery (EAGS) has developed and implemented such a certification system, to support and standardise laparoscopic simulation training across Europe (and also beyond, eg. USA, South Africa, and China). Based on principles of sound surgical education, the EAGS program provides a standardised, internationally-recognised certification system, with high levels of construct validity. Over 900 certificates have been awarded thus far, and the system continues to gain momentum, with support from a growing number of national gynaecological surgery associations (eg. the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy, which plans to introduce this program at its annual conferences).
In this presentation, I will: outline the structure of the EAGS certification system; clarify the educational theories behind the program, including its construct validity; and suggest how the EAGS system could be adopted and implemented locally in Australia and New Zealand.