Retention of hysteroscopic skills after simulation training: a prospective study in gynecology and obstetrics residents

Study Objective: To compare short- and medium-term retention of hysteroscopic skills following conventional versus spaced training, as assessed by the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS). Design: Prospective, randomized controlled study. Setting: Academic simulation center affiliated with a large tertiary academic hospital. Subjects: First- to third-year Obstetrics and Gynecology residents. Interventions: Participants were allocated to either spaced training (three 40-minute practice sessions with 20-minute intervals) or conventional training (a single uninterrupted 2-hour session). Measurements and Main Results: Forty-three participants were included (21 in the spaced group and 22 in the conventional group). Performance was evaluated using OSATS and a self-perception questionnaire immediately after training and at 6 months. Both groups showed significant decline in checklist accuracy at 6 months, with a 20% reduction in the spaced group (p = 0.006) and a 35% in the conventional group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both training methods led to partial skill decay after 6 months; however, spaced training resulted in superior retention and smaller performance loss. This approach appears to be associated with a better retention of hysteroscopic skills over time.