A Year in Review: 2024 Essentials of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (EMIGS) Achievements
I am delighted to share with you the significant milestones and achievements we have accomplished in 2024. This year has been transformative for EMIGS, reflecting our commitment to advancing gynecologic surgery education and practice.
Growth in Registrations and Participation
The EMIGS program has seen remarkable growth in registrations, with over 2,200 residents enrolled in EMIGS by December 2024. This represents a substantial increase from the previous year of EMIGS deployment, demonstrating the growing recognition and value of EMIGS certification. Additionally, the number of residency programs participating in EMIGS has risen to 180 and keeps growing, ensuring that more residents are equipped with essential minimally invasive surgical skills.
Enhanced Didactic and Manual Skills Training
In 2024, we introduced two new didactic modules: “Approaches to Hysterectomy” and “Office Procedures,” both of which are CME-approved. These additions have enriched our curriculum, providing comprehensive training that addresses critical aspects of gynecologic surgery. Furthermore, we have developed 395 new exam questions, with beta testing set to continue over the next year, ensuring the robustness and relevance of our cognitive assessments.
Innovations in Manual Skills Assessment
Our manual skills assessment has also evolved. Taking advantage of technological advances, our team has been exploring the potential for virtual grading using high-definition digital imaging, in addition to continually monitoring and adjusting our processes to match performance metrics. We have expanded our pool of graders, enhancing the efficiency and consistency of our evaluations. This year, more than 600 manual skills tests were completed with virtual proctoring and remote grading, and the number of our EMIGS-certified residents in the US is exponentially growing.
Research and Validation
Research remains a cornerstone of the EMIGS program. We have established a grading rubric and developed research agreements, leading to the acceptance of four significant research proposals. These studies, conducted by dedicated research teams from esteemed institutions, aim to validate the impact of EMIGS on surgical skills and efficiency. Additional validation data has been presented at prestigious conferences such as the International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) Annual Meeting in Singapore, and more work has been accepted for presentation at the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS) Annual Clinical Meeting in California in 2025. The EMIGS Research Award will continue to be offered annually, attracting more research on the value of EMIGS in Gyn surgical education and the impact on trainees’ performance and patient outcomes. There is no limit to our aspirations! We will continue to enhance and strengthen our programs using the evidence and capitalizing on the amazing intellectual power and dedication of our Steering Committee and AAGL Members.
Industry Collaboration and Support
Our collaboration with our industry partners has been instrumental in our success. The partnership with Hologic and Inovus has enabled us to deliver cutting-edge training tools, providing laparoscopic and hysteroscopic training platforms to 300 OBGYN residency programs across the Nation. This collaboration ensures that our trainees have access to the latest technology and resources, further enhancing their learning experience and elevating the quality of care.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the achievements of 2024, we are excited about the future of EMIGS. Our ongoing efforts to expand internationally and adapt our standards for practicing physicians highlight our commitment to making high-quality minimally invasive gynecologic surgery training accessible to a broader audience. This work would not be possible without the hard work and the selfless contributions of my Co-Chair; Dr. Barbara Levy, the EMIGS Steering Committee, the AAGL Staff, and the hundreds of Subject Matter Experts and volunteers who have created and continue to foster the growth of EMIGS.
Thank you for your dedication to advancing gynecologic surgery. Together, we are shaping the future of our field, and we ARE IMPROVING CARE FOR WOMEN WORLDWIDE.
