Development of a Multidisciplinary Curriculum for Urogynecology and Colorectal Surgery Fellows

Objectives: To develop a multidisciplinary curriculum to enhance Urogynecology and Colon and Rectal Surgery fellowship education.

Methods: Following Kern's model for curriculum development (Figure 1), faculty at a single academic institution with Urogynecology (FPMRS) and Colon and Rectal Surgery (CRS) fellowships recognized that trainees were receiving limited cross-disciplinary training and exposure. As such, the trainees had a circumscribed understanding of the other subspecialty’s approaches, expertise and treatments. A theme-based approach to curriculum development was utilized to engage the FPMRS and CRS faculty and fellows and to identify core conditions, pathologies and procedures towards which didactic and procedural experience could be targeted.

Results: Following a theme-based approach to create curriculum goals and objectives, the FPMRS and CRS faculty and fellows identified core topic areas in which fellows of each discipline should gain experience. Core topic areas for CRS included: anal sphincter trauma and repair, sphincteroplasties, recognition and management of pelvic organ prolapse (rectocele), and pelvic floor evaluation. Core topic areas for FPMRS included: recognition and management of anal fissures, skin tags and hemorrhoids, rectal intussusception and prolapse, and colovaginal and rectoperineal fistulae. Strategies to increase trainee education and exposure were developed, which include fellow inclusion in the complementary subspecialty’s core topic didactic sessions and simulation labs, as well as fellow participation in the complementary subspecialty’s core topic related procedures.

Conclusions: Pelvic floor and anorectal disorders are a complex set of conditions which can require an interdisciplinary approach; however, cross-disciplinary trainee experience is limited. Collaboration and utilization of a theme-based approach to curriculum development by FPMRS and CRS subspecialties allowed for creation of a multidisciplinary curriculum intended to enhance fellowship education. This curriculum will be implemented in the 2023-2024 academic cycle.