Course Director 

Course Faculty: Rajiv Gala, MD and Katie de Souza, MD

Course Description:

Mastery of gynecologic surgery requires more than training in the traditional apprenticeship model it demands a modernized approach grounded in evidence-based strategies that foster technical excellence, clinical judgment, and professional growth. This course centers on three essential themes in contemporary surgical education: innovative educational strategies, surgical coaching, and competency-based assessment.

Designed for junior and senior faculty surgical educators involved in resident and fellow training, the course will explore practical tools such as simulation-based learning and gaming, structured feedback models, and progressive entrustment frameworks that promote operative preparedness and learner autonomy.

A central focus will be the integration of surgical coaching as a transformative method to support learners at all skill levels. Participants will examine how coaching principles can enhance skill acquisition, encourage reflective practice, and address the needs of technically challenged trainees through individualized support. Special attention will be given to the role of psychological safety, the nuances of feedback delivery, and strategies for incorporating real-time coaching within the constraints of high-volume clinical settings.

The course will preview how surgical educators can start preparing for the transition towards competency-based in gynecologic surgical education, highlighting the importance of reliable, feasible tools to evaluate technical performance. Faculty will review validated instruments with guidance on how to apply them effectively in the gynecologic operating room. Participants will learn how to integrate these assessments into daily practice to support meaningful feedback, inform advancement decisions, and drive continuous learner development.

By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with a comprehensive, practical framework for teaching, coaching, and assessing surgical performance in gynecologic surgery training.

1. Describe and apply innovative educational strategies including gaming and simulation, structured feedback, and graduated autonomy to enhance operative preparedness in gynecologic surgery trainees.

2. Implement surgical coaching techniques to support skill acquisition, promote reflective practice, and effectively engage both high-performing and struggling learners in the clinical setting.

3. Utilize competency-based assessment tools to evaluate surgical performance, provide formative feedback, and guide entrustment decisions in gynecologic surgical training.