No abstract

The goal of this investigation is to provide a baseline assessment of research practices among current and former fellows in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery training programs. Evaluating publication patterns among fellows may provide information as to whether publication efforts during fellowship are addressing research gaps within our subspecialty MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis amongst fellows of Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery (MIGS) was studied over a 10-year period to observe trends in research publications. The total number of publications by institution, gender, region, study type, study topic and journal were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 520 publications were produced by fellows between the years 2010 and 2020. Of the total, 381 were published by females and 139 by males. Overall, the total number of publications per year has risen, with a 179% growth from 2010 to 2020. Using linear regression (R 2 ¼ 0.71) you could expect 100 publications per year by 2025 and 127 by 2030 based on current research output. The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology was the most prevalent journal for publication with 160 publications representing 31% of publications over the 10-year span. Obstetrics and Gynecology, The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and The Journal of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons were the next 3 most common journals for publication with 48, 38, and 38 publications, respectively. The most common type of study published overall was a retrospective cohort (114/520). The most common study topic was gynecological surgery representing 48% of the total publications for all years. CONCLUSION: Addressing differentiating research trends among geographical location, areas of research being covered, type of studies reaching publication, and journals accepting publication is important to ensure that fellows are continuing to expand and advance the research curriculum. The aim of this study was to assess the overall publication trends and how they have changed over time. Moving forward the authors believe a greater emphasis should be placed on quality and not quantity of research. One way to accomplish this would be to standardize research protocols within the governing body of the fellowship.