A National Survey of Endoscopic Practice Among Gynaecologists in Canada
Abstract
Objective:
To assess the current status of endoscopic gynaecological
surgery in Canada, as well as the attitudes, perceptions, and
educational preferences regarding endoscopy among Canadian
obstetrician-gynaecologists.
Methods:
An electronic online survey was sent to
630 obstetrician gynaecologists in Canada through the Society of Obstetricians
and Gynaecologists of Canada electronic mailing list. Survey
respondents were asked about demographic variables, level
of training and current practice of endoscopic procedures,
reasons for and barriers to performing endoscopy, and interest in
continuing surgical education in laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.
Results:
A total of
178 responses (28.3%) were collected and 152
(85.4%) analyzed. The majority of respondents were general
obstetrician-gynaecologists (78.0%). More gynaecologic surgeons
performed abdominal (92.7%) and vaginal hysterectomies (89.7%)
than laparoscopic (68.4%) and robotic hysterectomies (2.2%).
Even though 93.2% of respondents selected the endoscopic
approach as the preferred approach to surgery for their patients,
38.7% of respondents did not feel that they had adequate training
during residency to perform endoscopy. Lack of operating room
resources and lack of time and opportunity for further training were
frequently selected as major barriers to performing endoscopy.
Participants identified weekend continuing medical education
courses and trained endoscopic surgeon outreach as preferred
methods of acquiring endoscopic skills.
Conclusion:
This survey provides a contemporary assessment of
the current endoscopic practice patterns of Canadian obstetrician gynaecologists, and it helps to identify some potentially modifiable
factors hindering the practice of endoscopy and some possible
solutions to overcoming these barrier
