A national survey of surgical training in gynaecology: 2014–2021

Objectives: Over the last decade barriers to surgical training have been identified, including reducing access to theatre lists, reducing numbers of major surgical procedures being performed, increasing numbers of trainees and reduction in working hours since the introduction of the European Work Time Directive (EWTD). We aimed to assess the impact of these challenges on training in gynaecology over time. Study Design. We designed a study which aimed to assess both trainers and trainees perception of gynaecological surgical training in Ireland. The purpose of this was to identify confidence levels and challenges and to highlight potential areas for future improvement of surgical training in gynaecology. A a cross-sectional survey was distributed to all trainees and trainers registered with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Obstetrics and Gynaecology higher specialist training programme in 2014, 2017 and again in 2021. Results: During the study period trainees’ confidence that the training programme prepared them to perform gynaecological surgery fell significantly. This fall in confidence was most evident for trainees’ ability to perform abdominal hysterectomy (40.9% vs 15.2%, χ² = 4.61, p =.03) and vaginal hysterectomy (31.8% vs 12.1%, χ² = 4.58, p =.03) when comparing 2014 with 2021. All trainees reporteded that gynaecology was not given adequate time in the training programme to prepare them to practice independently as consultants. Themes identified by participants to improve training included dedicated access to theatre time with a named trainer, increased simulation training and subspecialisation at later stages of training. Conclusion: Our findings show an overall decrease in trainees’ and trainers’ confidence in the surgical training available in gynaecology over an eight-year period. This is particularly true for major gynaecology procedures. Efforts must be made to ensure trainees have improved access to surgical training in gynaecology. Potential solutions include improving access to simulation and incorporation of subspecialist training into later stages of training.