“Learning from the experts” – a novel advanced cadaveric course for Gynaecological Oncology (GO) Cytoreductive Surgery

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer cytoreductive surgery necessitates the use of advanced Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) to optimise skill-based teaching and achieve technical proficiency. OBJECTIVE: We describe and appraise the role of a novel postgraduate cadaveric course for cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian/fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several consultant-level surgeons with expertise in upper gastrointestinal, colorectal, hepatobiliary and urological surgery, were invited to teach their counterpart gynaecological oncology (GO) surgeons. The 2-day course curriculum involved advanced dissections on thiel-embalmed cadavers. All dissections included applicable steps required during GO cytoreductive surgeries. OUTCOME MEASURES: We used a feedback questionnaire and structured interviews to capture trainers and delegates views respectively. RESULTS: All delegates reported a positive educational experience and improvement of knowledge in all course components. There was no difference in the perception of feedback across junior versus senior consultants. Trainers perceived this opportunity as a “2-way learning” whether they got to explore in depth the GO perspective in how and which of their skills are applicable during cytoreductive surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborating with other surgical specialities promotes a “learning from the experts” concept and has potential to meet the rapidly increased demand for multi-viscera surgical excellence in GO surgery. WHAT'S NEW? The concept of involving experts from other surgical disciplines in advanced cadaveric courses for cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer, will solidify the effort to achieve excellence in the GO training. Such courses can be essential educational adjunct for most GO fellowships.