Resident education and training in urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery: a survey

The aim of the study is to assess satisfaction with urogynecology education among obstetrics and gynecology residents. An Internet-based survey was designed to obtain a cross-sectional sample of third- and fourth-year residents. Didactic and surgical training as well as perceived surgical competency were assessed. Responses were received from 205 residents for this convenience sample. Nearly half (46%) of the respondents were unsatisfied with urogynecology resident education. There was no significant difference between respondents from academic programs and community programs with regard to overall satisfaction, the opportunity to work with the presence of a fellowship-trained urogynecologist or having a dedicated urogynecology rotation. Respondents were more satisfied with their education if they did a urogynecology rotation or worked with a fellowship-trained urogynecologist. Female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellows were involved in the education of 23.9% of the respondents. Most respondents indicated comfort performing cystoscopy, anterior and posterior repairs, and McCall’s culdoplasty following graduation. Overall, respondents indicated that residency training in urogynecology is less and later than desired, although they did feel competent at some urogynecologic surgeries. This was an unfunded study. This article was also presented in abstract form as a poster at APGO–CREOG in March 2005.