Assessment of an oocyte retrieval simulation training program for residents: from training to clinical practice

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.