A study on the impact of short structured laparoscopy training course: Fellowship of Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons.

INTRODUCTION

: Since the invention of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there have been tremendous developments in minimal access surgery and an increasing need for well-structured laparoscopic training courses. There is a need to analyse the real benefit of short training courses. The study was conducted to find whether a focused 3-day structured laparoscopy training course conducted by the Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons (IAGES) could improve the cognitive and technical skills of surgeons in essential laparoscopic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

: The Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endo Surgeons conducted this prospective study during 2023–2024. Five hundred and fifty one candidates under the examination category in 14 consecutive courses were considered as the study groups to compare their pre- and post-test multiple-choice question (MCQ) scores to find the improvement in their knowledge base. A survey of candidates using Google Forms was also done at 6 months to find out the impact of the course. The following outcome measures were analysed: Improvement in the mean score in post-test MCQ when compared to pre-test MCQ. We compared the pre- and post-test scores after categorising the candidates into three grades according to the marks scored by them. Grade A: Above 75% marks. Grade B: 50%–75% marks. Grade C: <50% marks. Quality of laparoscopy training modules including hands-on suture training module and live demonstration of laparoscopic procedures. The volume of laparoscopic procedures done before and after the course.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

: The paired -test.

RESULTS

: There were 551 examination category candidates for FIAGES during this study period with pre- and post-test scores (grades) available for evaluation. Four hundred and fourteen candidates submitted the 15-question Google Forms which were also taken for further analysis of the impact of the training course. After the FIAGES course, it was evident that most of the participants obtained Grade A in the post-test as compared to the pre-test (5.4% vs. 41.4%), and only very few participants obtained Grade C (0.9%). It was also evident that the candidates started performing more basic laparoscopic cases after the FIAGES score ( < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

: The FIAGES course has established itself as a famous well-structured laparoscopic training course. It improved the knowledge base of the registrants and also helped with their career progress. Efforts are on the way to make FIAGES with a more elaborate course curriculum to enable accreditation by statutory bodies.