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The Need for More Workshops in Laparoscopic Surgery and Surgical Anatomy for European Gynaecological Oncology Trainees: A Survey by the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists
  1. Ranjit Manchanda, MRCOG*,
  2. Michael J. Halaska, MD,
  3. Jurgen M. Piek, MD, PhD,
  4. Jacek P. Grabowski, MD, PhD§,
  5. Dimitrios Haidopoulos,
  6. Ignacio Zapardiel, PhD,
  7. Murat Gultekin, MD#,
  8. Boris Vranes, MD**,
  9. Kastriot Dallaku, MD, MSc†† and
  10. Michaela Bossart, MD‡‡
  1. *From the Department of Gynaecological Oncology, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, UK;
  2. From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2nd Medical Faculty of the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic;
  3. From the Comprehensive Cancer Center South location TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands;
  4. §From the Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology; Kliniken-Essen-Mitte, Essen, Germany;
  5. From the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece;
  6. From the Gynaecological Oncology Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain;
  7. #From the Turkish Ministry of Health, Cancer Control Department, Ankara, Turkey;
  8. **Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia;
  9. ††Obstetric Gynecology University Hospital
  10. Koco Gliozheni,” Tirana, Albania; and
  11. ‡‡Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Ranjit Manchanda, MRCOG, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, UCL/UCLH, Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, First floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Rd, London W1T 7DN. E-mail: r.manchanda@ucl.ac.uk.

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to highlight the relative preference of European gynecologic oncology trainees for workshops that could support and supplement their training needs.

Methods A Web-based survey was sent to 900 trainees on the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists database in November 2011. Respondents were asked to rate a 13-item questionnaire (using a 1- to 5-point Likert scale) on workshop topics they felt would most benefit their training requirements. Free text space for additional topics was also provided. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the mean scores reported for different items. A complete linkage hierarchical cluster analysis with Dendron plot was used to assess any clustering of data, and Cronbach α was used to assess the internal reliability of the questionnaire.

Results One hundred ninety trainees from 37 countries responded to the survey, giving a 21% response rate. The 3 most important topics reported were laparoscopic surgery; surgical anatomy, and imaging techniques in gynecologic oncology. The Dendron plot indicated 4 different clusters of workshops (research related skills, supportive ancillary skills, related nonsurgical subspecialties, and core surgical skills) reflecting different competencies trainees need to meet. There was no significant association between individual country of training and workshop preference. The mean duration of the workshop preferred by 71% of respondents was 2 days. Cronbach α of the 13-item questionnaire was 0.78, which suggests good internal consistency/reliability.

Conclusions This report for the first time highlights the relative importance and significance European trainees attach to some of their training needs in gynecologic oncology. Laparoscopic surgery, surgical anatomy, and imaging appear to be the 3 areas of greatest need. The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, other national specialist societies, and institutions should direct additional training efforts at these areas.

  • ENYGO
  • Gynecologic oncology
  • Training
  • Laparoscopic surgery
  • Surgical anatomy
  • European

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Footnotes

  • The work was funded through the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists budget grant that was provided by the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology.

  • The work described in this manuscript is original and has not been published previously. This work is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, and its publication is approved by all authors and by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out.

  • The authors declare no conflicts of interest.