Assessment of an oocyte retrieval simulation training program for
residents: from training to clinical practice
Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of an oocyte retrieval
simulation training program (ORSTP) on the clinical performance of
residents. Design: Prospective comparative study.
Setting: A tertiary care center. Population: All OR
performed by residents between May 2018 and November 2021.
Methods & main outcome measures: The Simulation (S) group
included oocyte retrieval (OR) performed by residents who had undergone
an ORSTP before performing them on patients (n=422) and the control (C)
group included OR performed by residents who had not received prior
simulation training (n= 329). Our main outcome measure was the OR rate
(ORR) (number of oocytes collected/number of follicles aspirated) during
the first 3 months of the rotation. Results: In the S group, 6
residents aspirated 657 ovaries while in the C group, 5 residents
aspirated 508 ovaries. The mean ORR during the first 3 months of
rotation were comparable between the S and C groups (59% (2800/472) vs
58% (1910/3281)). ORR during the first and second month, and at the end
of the rotation were also comparable between the S and C groups (54% vs
63%, 58% vs 59% and 58% vs 58%, respectively). There was no
significant difference in the rate of failed OR (3.3% vs 1.8%) between
the S and C groups. Finally, 16% of residents in the S group reported
being stressed before their first OR compared to 40% in the C group.
Conclusions: The ORSTP does not improve the residents’ clinical
performance, but it could decrease their stress in clinical practice.
Keywords: oocyte pick-up, infertility, simulation, education,
student.