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 2017 and November 2020. Methods & main outcome measures: The Simulation (S) group included 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% vs 58%). 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% et 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.