Benefits of an oocyte pickup simulation training program using a high-fidelity simulator (PickUpSim^TM) for obstetrics and gynaecology residents: an observational survey study

The aim of this study was to evaluate an oocyte pick-up (OPU) simulation training program for residents using the high fidelity PickUpSim^TM (Accurate, Cesena, Italy) simulator. The authors carried out an observational study during an OPU simulation workshop. A successful scenario was defined as an oocyte retrieval rate ≥70% without any complications. Forty-six residents affiliated to 23 different French university hospitals were included, and 37/46 (80.4%) of them successfully completed the scenario with a mean time of 3.4 ± 1.1 minutes. The oocyte retrieval rate was 442/561 (78.8%). All residents found training beneficial and 41/46 (87%) were in favour of having simulation-based training programs for OPU in their reproductive medicine departments. All residents who had previous experience with OPU (11/11) recommended the use of a simulator before performing OPU. This study confirms that high-fidelity OPU simulation is a simple and efficient method for training residents.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Simulator-based training has been shown to be effective and useful for oocyte pick-up (OPU) training.What the results of this study add? All residents found the simulation program beneficial and formative, with 80% successfully completing their scenarios in a mean time of 3.4 ± 1.1 minutes. All residents who had previous experience with OPU recommended the use of a simulator before performing OPU.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Prospective studies are needed to confirm the short- and long-term positive clinical impact of OPU simulation training programs.