Comparing the Variation in Laparoscopic Skills Acquisition in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and General Surgical Trainees

NCT05116332 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FHMREC20033
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The investigators postulate that there is a difference in the acquisition of Fundamental Laparoscopic Skills (FLS) between general surgical and Obstetrics \& Gynaecology (O\&G) trainees. This discrepancy is also likely to influence the musculoskeletal and cognitive fatigue trainees experience within both specialties. Additionally there is likely to be a discrepancy in the expectations of consultants and trainees on skills perceived to be important at the completion of training (CCT). This study aims to compare and evaluate the discrepancy in FLS acquisition amongst O\&G and GS trainees in order to identify areas for improvements in the training pathway, the associated fatigue experience and highlight the expectations perceived to be required at the completion of training.

Conditions

Surgery; Fatigue, Mental; Fatigue; Training Group, Sensitivity; Muscle Strain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Average time to complete Fundamental Laparoscopic surgery (FLS) tasks.

  Mean Time Taken (in minutes: seconds) to perform FLS task

  Over the duration of the 45 minutes when trainees undertake the FLS tasks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• EMG measurements of Maximal Voluntary Contraction (MVC)

  Over the duration of the 45 minutes when trainees undertake the FLS tasks

• EEG measurements of peak alpha power

  Over the duration of the 45 minutes when trainees undertake the FLS tasks

Study Arms (2)

Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G)

Trainees from ST3/ST4/ST5 grades (n=11) and ST6/ST7 grades (n=12). As O\&G training covers both Obstetrics \& Gynaecology curriculums, we will recruit trainees in their final two years of training (i.e. ST6 and ST7) with gynaecology special interest; undertaking at least one gynaecology Advanced Training Skills Modules (ATSM). These include advanced laparoscopic training, open and laparoscopic benign abdomen, urogynaecology, gynaecology-oncology and reproductive medicine. To measure musculoskeletal (Electromyography) and cognitive fatigue (Electroencephalography): A total of 10 trainees had these measured; ST3/4/5 (n=5) and ST6/7 (n=5).

General Surgery (GS)

Trainees from ST3/ST4/ST5 (n=11) and senior trainees from ST7/ST8 (n=11). To measure musculoskeletal (Electromyography) and cognitive fatigue (Electroencephalography): A total of 10 trainees had these measured; ST3/4/5 (n=6) and ST7/8 (n=4)

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

22 trainees from GS and 23 trainees from O\&G in the northwest deanery. \- Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O\&G): Junior trainees - ST3/ST4/ST5 (n=11) Senior trainees - ST6/ST7 (n=12) \- General Surgery (GS): ST3/ST4/ST5 (n=11) ST7/ST8 (n=11)

You may qualify if:

• General surgery trainees at ST3/ST4/ST5/ST7/ST8 levels
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O\&G) at ST3/ST4/ST5/ST6/ST7 levels
• Consultants and trainees in general surgery and O\&G- For surveys on laparoscopic standards.

You may not qualify if:

• Those trainees who have had substantial pre-training experience in laparoscopic surgery such as those who have completed another surgical specialty training, have worked as clinical fellows or specialty doctors with substantial exposure to laparoscopic work will be excluded.
• Those trainees who are currently out of program/training and not doing regular clinical work or those trainees outside the North West deanery will also be excluded.
• For the safety of others, anybody with a positive Covid-19 test, symptoms, or contact with -someone infected with the virus will be excluded.
• Currently out of training (maternity leave, Higher degrees not involving any clinical work)
• Those who have completed another surgical specialty training, have worked as clinical fellows or specialty doctor with significant exposure to operative laparoscopic work.
• Withdrawal of consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lancaster University: lead
• East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust: collaborator
• British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy: collaborator
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: collaborator
• Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland: collaborator
• KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, Inc.: collaborator
• Medtronic: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

Blackburn, Lancashire, BB2 3HH, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Khan ZN, Shrestha D, Shugaba A, Lambert JE, Haslett E, Afors K, Bampouras TM, Subar D, Gaffney C, Clark TJ. What laparoscopic skills are necessary for the certificate of completion of training? A prospective nationwide cross-sectional survey of obstetrics and gynaecology and general surgery trainees and consultants in the UK. BMJ Open. 2025 Mar 29;15(3):e095777. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095777.

  PMID: 40157732 DERIVED

• Khan ZN, Shrestha D, Shugaba A, Lambert JE, Clark J, Haslett E, Afors K, Bampouras TM, Gaffney CJ, Subar DA. Comparing proficiency of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees with general surgery trainees using simulated laparoscopic tasks in Health Education England, North-West: a prospective observational study. BMJ Open. 2023 Nov 10;13(11):e075113. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075113.

  PMID: 37949619 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Fatigue; Fatigue; Hypersensitivity; Sprains and Strains

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Immune System Diseases; Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Mr

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 26, 2021
• First Posted: November 11, 2021
• Study Start: September 11, 2021
• Primary Completion: April 30, 2022
• Study Completion: March 10, 2023
• Last Updated: March 21, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-03

Locations

GB (1)