Evaluation of a progressive laparoscopic training program for clinical professional master’s degree residents in china: skill improvement and educational implications

Abstract

Background

With the ongoing reform of clinical medical education in China, the training model for Clinical Professional Master’s Degree Residents (CPMDRs) has become a crucial component of medical education. as a core technique in modern surgical practice, plays a pivotal role in standardized residency training. However, CPMDRs often face challenges in efficiently mastering laparoscopic skills within a limited training period. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a progressive laparoscopic training program in enhancing the skills of CPMDRs and to explore its implications for clinical medical education in China.

Methods

A three-month progressive laparoscopic training program was designed, incorporating multiple teaching methods such as knowledge acquisition, box trainer training, virtual reality (VR) simulation, ex vivo organ training, and animal-based surgical training. A total of 25 CPMDRs participated in the program. Their laparoscopic skills were evaluated before and after the training using task completion times and standardized performance metrics. In addition, a questionnaire was administered to assess participants’ satisfaction with the program and their perceived improvement in competency.

Results

Following the training, participants demonstrated significant reductions in task completion times across all laparoscopic tasks (P < 0.001), particularly in visual targeting, precision transfer drills, and interrupted suturing. The program received high satisfaction ratings, with 80% of participants strongly agreeing that it stimulated their interest in learning. Furthermore, participants reported marked improvements in basic laparoscopic techniques, VR-based surgical skills, and animal-based procedural abilities.

Conclusion

The progressive laparoscopic training program effectively enhanced the laparoscopic skills of CPMDRs and received high approval from participants. By employing a multidimensional teaching approach, this training model is adaptable to the resource conditions of different regions in China, demonstrating broad potential for widespread adoption. This study provides scientific evidence and practical support for optimizing the laparoscopic skills training system for CPMDRs in China.