Laparoscopy Hospital - Master in Minimal Access Surgery Residency Course

Master in Minimal Access Surgery

Method of Study:	Over the past 11 years, the World Laparoscopy Hospital has gained regional and international recognition for its efforts to provide the best laparoscopic training. As part of a major academic medical center, the institute excels in training, research and clinical programs. Our dual purpose is to train those who will provide top quality patient care and be the academic leaders in minimal access surgery, who in turn will train many physicians for practice in communities across the country. This emphasis makes our Master in Minimal Access Surgery one of the most unique programs in the World. Master in Minimal Access Surgery is One year degree course to add on the professional skill in Minimal Access Surgery. This course is open to qualified professional Surgeons, Gynaecologist, Pediatric Surgeon and Urologist and unique alone in whole world. There are only limited number of seat in this course. This course offers an exciting insight into technological advances in Minimal Access Surgery as well as a practical multidisciplinary approach to implementing this technology including da vinci robotic surgery. Candidates for the degree will be required to have extensive hands on training and they will also undertake a research program and will be required to submit a thesis for examination. The thesis should embody the results of an investigation carried out by the candidate, under supervision, which shows independence of thought and which demonstrates the candidate's ability to carry out research in the discipline of minimal access surgery. Initial three month taught and clinical modules will be covered at World Laparoscopy Hospital followed by eSTEP, an on-line facility for the Surgeons in Training Education Programme ( STEP ) as followed by Royal College of Surgeons of England. eSTEP has been set up to add a further dimension to the training programme through providing a medium for communication and an information resource for trainees anywhere in the World. eSTEP aims to create a vibrant, on-line community for trainees and their tutors, enabling them to share experiences and maintain regular contact with the College. eSTEP will also provide access to all the resources of the College library, as well as links to reviewed surgical web sites and educational resources. Trainees will also have access to materials that cannot be printed in the STEP manuals, such as video and image banks and access to on-line journals. The research project will be conducted by candidates at their home country with direct online modules on dedicated web site of World Laparoscopy Hospital under direct supervision of University. The dedicated Master area of web site will provide a forum for on-line discussion with peers and experts creating essentially an on-line tutorial. It will also be an invaluable information resource. eSTEP has greatly greatly enhanced our international reputation as a leader in the field of minimal access surgical training. The quality of eSTEP of World Laparoscopy Hospital is at par with the eSTEP training of Royal college of Surgeons of England. The course requires submission of an assignment at the end of each module and completion of a research project. Initial three month participants have the opportunity to help consultants with laparoscopic procedures in theatre at different hospitals in Delhi and NCR. In addition, 100 hours of practical instruction must be attended, covering the full range of laparoscopic skills. Teaching skills are developed by assisting in various laparoscopic courses held by the World Laparoscopy Hospital. All the Diploma and Fellowship Laparoscopic Courses are recognized university courses, endorsed by World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons and Fellowship Robotic Training is Recognized by Intuitive Surgical incorporation da Vinci® Surgical System, USA. Admission is on first come first serve basis but if the applicant are more for same month candidate has to take online entrance exam. There will be one online entrance test and after qualifying this online entrance test, surgeons and gynecologists will be selected for this "Hands On" laparoscopic training course. During this 24 month candidate will do research and they have to submit dissertation at the end of course. After submission of thesis university will take final exam. At the time of final exam and evaluation of dissertation the candidate has to come again to New Delhi. The candidate has to maintain day to day log book of theirs clinical attachment signed by their laparoscopic instructor and it should be sent by mail to Universities Delhi head office, A/14 Paryavaran Complex, South of Saket, New Delhi - 110030. The Course Director of this course is Prof. R. K. Mishra, Professor and Head of Minimal Access Surgery TGO University. For Thesis separate instructor will be appointed by the university on recommendation of governing body.
Duration of Study:	One year full-time research project and practical laparoscopic and robotic skills rehearsal followed by clinical attachment and Thesis submission. The expected student workload in terms of the total time involved, including lectures, tutorials, practical experience, independent study, reading and work for assessment will average 20 hours face to face and 20 hours homework every week.
Entry Requirements:	Candidates must hold MBBS or equivalent and at least 3 years post-registration experience in General surgery or Gynecology or degree of M.S or M.D for Indian candidates.
Aims of the Programme:	To promote a deeper knowledge and understanding of minimal access surgery, the safe deployment of associated technologies and the implications of its introduction into healthcare services. Laparoscopic surgery adapts poorly to apprenticeship models for general surgical training. Standardized skill acquisition and validation programs, targeted performance goals, and a supervised, enforced, skill-based curriculum that readily can be shared between trainee and instructor must replace the observation and incremental skill-acquisition model used in an open surgical environment.
Objective of Course:	The objective of this course is that participants to develop an understanding of key issues in the evaluation of minimal access surgical procedures and assessment of surgical health outcomes. By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Identify specific problems in the conduct of randomized controlled trials of minimal access surgical operations Identify appropriate and feasible research designs to evaluate minimal access surgical operations Identify appropriate outcome measures for safe laparoscopic and robotic surgery Understand the contribution of health economics in surgical outcomes research Develop appropriate level of skill to perform safe laparoscopic and robotic surgery
Programme Content:	The Masters in Minimal Access Surgery consists of eight core modules: • Research methodology (40 Credit for Thesis) • Safety in Minimal Access Surgery including Robotic Surgery (10 Credit) • Ergonomics of Minimal Access Surgery (10 Credit) • Visual Technology in Minimal Access Surgery (10 Credit) • Instrument design in Minimal Access Surgery (10 Credit) • Tissue approximation in Minimal Access Surgery (20 Credit) • Dissection techniques in Minimal Access Surgery (20 Credit) • Clinical Application of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery (40 Credit)
Methods of Assessment:	The Masters will be assessed by literature review, oral presentation, practical skills assessment and research dissertation. Master's participants by coursework and thesis complete a minimum of 40credit including the thesis. Coursework requirements include the academic major and the academic minor and, as appropriate, clinical studies, directed studies, research preparation competencies, and additional electives to satisfy the minimum credit requirements. As a Master's student, you will complete a comprehensive examination at the conclusion of your academic coursework. You will prepare a formal thesis proposal, complete the thesis project, and prepare the manuscript for faculty review. You will also complete an oral review of thesis at the conclusion of the research review.

	Who are eligible?

This One year masters course is designed for medical graduates who has postgraduate experience in surgery or gynecology with an interest in minimal access surgery. The World Laparoscopy Hospital is based at New Delhi, and Gurgaon and is an International training center with expertise in providing practical courses in laparoscopic surgery. The degree is awarded by the government recognized university after successfully completing the course designed by World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons. The course follow the post residency programme guidelines of SAGES.

	What are the benefits?

The course provides a period of study and academic research to gain an in-depth understanding of Minimal Access surgery and the safe implementation of associated technologies. Participants are expected to develop their research methodologies, presentation skills, and analytical and critical abilities, and to gain a degree of competence in Minimal Access Surgery. Admission to higher surgical training posts is highly competitive, and the M.MAS gives a competitive advantage. Dissertations, which are prepared as part of the course, are regularly published by graduates or form the basis of presentations at national and international venues.

	What does it entail?

The course runs over one academic year from the date of admission. There are three terms, followed by three months for dissertation writing.

The course modules comprise: research methods, information technology, statistics and presentation techniques, ergonomics and human reliability analysis, visual technology, safe endoscopic practice, access and tissue approximation, modes of dissection, flexible endoscopy, laparoscopic oncological survey, and clinical application of specific techniques.

The course requires submission of an assignment at the end of each module and completion of a research project. Every week participants have the opportunity to help consultants with laparoscopic procedures in theatre. In addition, three hours of practical instruction must be attended, covering the full range of laparoscopic skills. Teaching skills are developed by assisting in various laparoscopic courses held by the World Laparoscopy Hospital.

	How much time is needed?

The course is a full time programme. Candidate has to spend initial three month training at World Laparoscopy Hospital, Gurgaon, NCR Delhi. During this three month they will get extensive "Hands On" training at laparoscopic lab of World Laparoscopy Hospital. They will also get clinical attachment in various hospitals in New Delhi including World Laparoscopy Hospital. This three month extensive training will be followed by 9 month clinical attachment in their respective country or state.

	Is the course assessed?

The aggregated result of assignments represents 50% of the overall course requirements. The remaining 50% comes from submission of the research project, which is assessed by a supervisor and an external examiner. Participants may be required to provide clarifications or corrections. If a dissertation falls short of the exam criteria, a viva may be required. Alternatively, participants may opt to have a diploma awarded.

	What are the fees?

The fee for Masters in Minimal Access Surgery Course is 20,000 USD for overseas candidate and 4,95,000 INR for Indian Surgeons and Gynaecologists. Please note that living expenses (Food, Travel, Stationary, and Laundry etc.) are not covered in the course fee. There is no extra charge to utilize hospital resources like internet, laparoscopic instruments, O.T. Dress, Library, Videos, CDs. Hostel fee is extra.

	Recommendations for a thesis?

The topic for a thesis should be carefully chosen by candidate, either from an area of intended specialization or in preparation for an MD or MS thesis. A laboratory based topic generally gives participants a higher degree of control than a clinical project.

	Was it worth it?

The course definitely improves the candidate's ability to apply the fundamental ergonomics of laparoscopic techniques in a varied clinical environment. Minimal Access Surgical skill of candidate will definitely improve par excellence after this Master course. During training in M.MAS program, responsibilities of candidate will increase with experience, capability and performance. There is opportunity to increase your surgical, supervisory and teaching and administrative skills.

The Master in Minimal Access Surgery Program is effective in establishing laparoscopic skills in surgeons and gynecologist regardless of age or sex in a short time of One year, resulting in greater teaching efficiency, research and clinical skill. Participants who finish this standardized degree course can compare their performance with that of trained consultant surgeons, giving them an initiative to practice and improve.