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Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (EMIGS)

On January 9, 2023, ABOG announced that Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (EMIGS) is now an alternative option to meet the Surgical Skills Program standard for ABOG certification.

 

Essentials in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (EMIGS) is a comprehensive program that standardizes education and assessment of MIGS knowledge and skills. The program encompasses three components: didactics, cognitive, and manual skills. 

 

The Surgical Skills Program standard was implemented in Academic Year 2019-2020. While at that time FLS was the only program candidates could use to meet the standard, candidates can now complete EMIGS to fulfill the standard.

 

To learn more about EMIGS, visit the AAGL website. View the unboxing and setup videos under the 'Skills' tab.

 

 


EMIGS is a gynecology-specific comprehensive Training and Testing program. EMIGS is comprised on a validated cognitive examination, an accompanying web-based didactic component, and a validated manual skills examination of five laparoscopic exercises specific to gynecologic surgery using a LaparoBowl: a dedicated platform that is placed inside a standard laparoscopic trainer, simulating the pelvic cavity.


The goal is to provide residents, fellows, and practicing physicians an opportunity to learn the essentials of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery using structured, standardized, and validated methods; and to test the basic knowledge and manual skills, with the ultimate goal of elevating gynecologic surgical training and improving the quality of patient care.

The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) is the non-profit organization offering EMIGS. You can have access to the didactic component and sign up to take the EMIGS exam here.

EMIGS offers web-based didactic content, including 81 narrated video lectures covering 12 in-depth modules on the essentials of minimally invasive surgery, such as anatomy, electrosurgery, surgical planning, decision-making, complications, etc. The didactic program is designed to help you better understand and learn the essentials of endoscopic surgery and the minimum standards for cognitive and technical principles used in performing minimally invasive gynecologic surgical procedures.

Candidates do not need to provide EMIGS certificates to ABOG. AAGL provides the information directly to ABOG.

Please visit the AAGL website.

The entire EMIGS experience, including the didactic content and the Cognitive and the Manual Skills exams, will cost $525. The cost of retaking the Cognitive Exam is $150, and the cost of retaking the Manual Skills exam is $225. Please refer to the EMIGS Terms and Conditions for more information.

The exam includes two assessments: a computer-based multiple-choice cognitive assessment and a performance-based manual skills assessment consisting of five skills performed on a standardized Laparoscopic Trainer Box. Those who successfully complete both components will have demonstrated the knowledge, judgement, and technical skill essentials of the performance of basic endoscopic skills.

Included in the EMIGS Program, EMIGS offers web-based didactic content, including 81 narrated video lectures covering 12 in-depth modules on the essentials of minimally invasive surgery, such as anatomy, electrosurgery, surgical planning, decision-making, complications, etc. The didactic program is designed to help you better understand and learn the essentials of endoscopic surgery and the minimum standards for cognitive and technical principles used in performing minimally invasive gynecologic surgical procedures. The didactic content does not have an exam.

The manual skills assessment consists of the five simulation exercises reflecting skills uniquely required in laparoscopic surgery, including sleeve-peg transfer; pattern cut; extracorporeal knot tying; intracorporeal knot tying; and vaginal cuff continuous running suture. Each task performance is scored on both precision (accuracy) and efficiency (time).


Watch the unboxing and setup videos on the AAGL website under the 'Skills' tab here.

The cognitive assessment consists of multiple-choice questions, some of which include visuals and clinical scenarios. It is computer-based and designed to test the understanding and application of the essentials of endoscopic surgery with as much emphasis as possible on clinical judgement and intra-operative decision-making.

If you fail one or both parts of the assessment, you must retake whatever part was not completed successfully.

Both the cognitive and manual skills portion of EMIGS will be completed online and proctored virtually by a real-time virtual proctor, without the need for travel to a physical testing center.

You will have 120 minutes to complete the multiple-choice cognitive assessment. The manual skills assessment includes five designated skills administered on the Trainer Box and last approximately 60-90 minutes. Both are administered virtually by a real-time, trained EMIGS online proctor.

To practice the manual skills needed for the EMIGS examination, you will need to use the EMIGS LaparoBowl and a Trainer Box. At least one LaparoBowl is made available at no cost to each residency program in the US. Instructional videos are available upon registrations for the exam. To order additional LaparoBowls and consumables, please contact Inovus Medical.

The EMIGS certification is available to all OB GYN residents.

Scores will be emailed approximately six weeks after the candidates completes the exam. For privacy reasons, scores will not be transmitted by telephone or facsimile. Those who successfully complete both the educational and assessment components will receive a certification of completion confirming that they have demonstrated the knowledge, judgement, and technical skills essential for the performance of basic laparoscopic surgery.

EMIGS certification does not expire.

For questions regarding OB GYN certification requirements, please email ABOG at residency@abog.org. For questions regarding the EMIGS curriculum or testing, please visit the AAGL website or email emigs@aagl.org.

Questions? Contact the Exams Department at exams@abog.org or 214.871.1619.

 

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