Common surgical training program: standardization of learning quality.

Introduction: The various surgical specialties in our center have used the simulation and experimental surgery resources available for their training tasks in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in an individualized manner. With this learning model, a great dispersion of effort and expense was observed, so it was decided to create a unified program based on the following: shared learning, synergy among specialties, moderation of the economic cost, and rational use of the facilities.

Objective: To describe and assess our consensually designed training program in order to consolidate a shared learning strategy that will enable our residents to acquire and perfect surgical skills in MIS.

Materials and methods: The program consists of various increasingly complex phases implemented on a continuous basis throughout the period of specialized training in the virtual laboratory and experimental operating room. The assessment methods were based on quantifiable criteria: percentage of efficiency and completion time of the "McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills" (MISTELS) exercises at the beginning and end of the program. An economic study was also conducted.

Results: 20 residents have completed the program. Mean times show a significant reduction in each of the exercises. The efficiency percentages at the end of the program were higher than at the beginning (p < 0.001). The cost of the program represented a saving of 67.89%.

Conclusion: The new MIS training program improved the quality of learning in a safe environment, establishing common criteria among the different specialties and an improved use of resources.