A MIXED METHODS STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF A LAPAROSCOPIC SKILLS WORKSHOP ON SURGICAL RESIDENTS’ COMPETENCE AND CONFIDENCE: ANALYZING DOPS SCORES AND THEMATIC NARRATIVES agar.akshay@gmail.com

 

A MIXED METHODS STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF A LAPAROSCOPIC SKILLS WORKSHOP ON SURGICAL RESIDENTS’ COMPETENCE AND CONFIDENCE: ANALYZING DOPS SCORES AND THEMATIC NARRATIVES

6

India

Oral or Poster

Simulation-based training has emerged as a cornerstone of modern surgical education, particularly in minimally invasive surgery (MIS), where psychomotor complexity and safety concerns limit learning opportunities in the operating room. This study evaluates the impact of a structured laparoscopic skills workshop on surgical residents’ competence and confidence through a mixed methods approach.

A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted involving n=30 postgraduate surgical residents (PGY-2 and PGY-3) at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow. Quantitative assessment comprised Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) at pre-, post-, and 6-week intervals alongside a 10-item self-perception survey. The qualitative component included semi-structured interviews with n=10 participants, thematically analyzed to capture experiential insights.

DOPS scores significantly improved from 41.3 ± 5.9 (pre-workshop) to 68.2 ± 4.7 (post-workshop) and remained high at 65.4 ± 5.3 during follow-up (p < 0.001). Confidence scores also increased from 24.9 ± 4.1 to 41.7 ± 3.9 (p < 0.001), with minor attrition at follow-up. PGY-2 residents showed greater absolute gains. Thematic analysis revealed enhanced procedural clarity, reduced anxiety, faculty-guided feedback, and the need for improved simulation realism.

This mixed methods study demonstrates the significant educational value of simulation-based laparoscopic skills workshops in early surgical training. The structured program led to a marked improvement in technical performance, as evidenced by higher DOPS scores, and a substantial increase in self-perceived confidence among residents. Notably, these gains were not transient but persisted at a six-week follow-up, suggesting effective skill retention and psychological readiness for translation to the operating room.