David S Strosberg1, Sylvester N Osayi1, Joseph Drosdeck2, Rebecca Dettorre1, Andrew Suzo1, Jeffrey Hazey1. 1The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 2Oregon Health and Science University
Background: Endoscopic training for general surgical residents has been traditionally accomplished using the apprenticeship model. Given the limitations and controversies of current endoscopy training, Flexible Endoscopic Curriculum (FEC) was adopted by the American Board of Surgery (ABS), and more specifically, Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) was introduced as an inclusive and validated training curriculum. The role of virtual reality simulation in flexible endoscopy has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to create a proficiency-based simulator curriculum and to evaluate residents’ performance on the hands-on portion of the FES exam and clinical performance as measured by the Global Assessment of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Skills (GAGES).
Methods: General Surgery residents in their post-graduate year (PGY) 1-4 were divided into two groups: Group 1 (PGY 1-2’s) and Group 2 (PGY 3-4’s). Clinical endoscopic abilities were measured by GAGES in both groups at baseline and after the FES exam. Residents on Group 1 participated in a formal simulator-based curriculum, and participants in both groups were then expected to complete the FES exam.
Results: Group 1 (10 residents) and Group 2 (7 residents) completed the baseline GAGES evaluation. Residents in Group 1 had a lower mean baseline upper endoscopy GAGES score (16.1 vs. 22.8, p<0.01) and lower endoscopy GAGES score (12.4 vs. 18.9, p<0.01). To date, two residents in Group 2 have completed the FES exam with mean cognitive score 461 and mean manual score 435.5 (passing 357 in both sections). Additional FES exams for participants in the study are being scheduled and have yet to be completed, and will be reported upon completion.
Conclusion: Baseline GAGES scores accurately reflect clinical experience. As we collect FES scores in Groups 1 and 2, we anticipate that endoscopic simulation will translate into improved clinical performance and in the manual skills portion of the FES exam.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 80438
Program Number: P273
Presentation Session: Poster (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster