Cross-Sectional Study of Resident-Reported Surgical Experience in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.

IMPORTANCE

Comprehensive surgical training is an essential component of obstetrics and gynecology residency, yet subspecialty experience may be declining.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to describe trends in reported obstetrics and gynecology resident experience in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS).

STUDY DESIGN

This study was a retrospective analysis of national case log reports from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for obstetrics and gynecology residents.

RESULTS

From 2013 through 2019, ACGME collected data from a median of 241 programs (range, 239-242) with a median of 1,259 residents (range, 1,213-1,286) reporting annually. There was a 26% decrease in resident-reported experience with incontinence and pelvic floor procedures from 74 ± 38 in 2013 to 55 ± 34 in 2019 ( P < 0.001). Cystoscopy increased by 19% from 43 ± 25 in 2013 to 51 ± 29 in 2019 ( P < 0.001). From 2014 to 2019, vaginal hysterectomy cases decreased by 12% ( P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant decrease in resident-reported FPMRS surgical experience from 2013 to 2019, while cystoscopy numbers increased. After laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies were unbundled in 2013, resident vaginal hysterectomy cases decreased from 2014 to 2019. Given that the ACGME Incontinence and Pelvic Floor designation comprises a wide range of procedures, future investigation is needed to elucidate the gaps in FPMRS-specific surgical training during residency and its implication in comprehensive resident surgical training.