Assessing the impact of a 2-day laparoscopic intestinal workshop.

Background: Surgical educators have responded to the demand for increased skills in minimally invasive surgery by offering short technique-focused workshops at academic centres. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a comprehensive laparoscopic intestinal workshop for the adoption of laparoscopic colonic surgery.

Methods: A 2-day comprehensive laparoscopic intestinal surgery workshop included didactic teaching and supervised hands-on practice of numerous laparoscopic colon resections on a cadaveric model.

Prevalence of male and female sexual dysfunction is high following surgery for rectal cancer.

Objective: To measure sexual function and quality of life (QOL) after rectal cancer treatment.

Summary Background Data: Previous studies on sexual function after rectal cancer treatment have focused on males and have not used validated instruments.

Methods: Patients undergoing curative rectal cancer surgery from 1980 to 2003 were administered a questionnaire, including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the EORTC QLQ-C30/CR-38.

Current awareness in Canada of clinical practice guidelines for colorectal cancer screening.

Introduction: The Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (CTF-PHC) recently revised its screening recommendations for colorectal cancer (CRC). We wished to assess the effect of this change on the screening beliefs and clinical practice of primary care physicians.

Methods: We surveyed 160 primary-care physicians, quasi-randomly sampled, in June-July 2001 and again in April-July 2002, 9 months after publication of the guidelines.