VR Simulation-Based vs Traditional Apprenticeship Training in Gynecological Laparoscopy: A Comparative Survey of Residents' Expectations, Skills Acquisition, and Training Structure.

Background: Simulation has emerged as a transformative method in surgical education, offering reproducible training in risk-free environments. While widely adopted in Western Europe and North America, traditional apprenticeship remains dominant in Central and Eastern Europe, raising concerns about skill acquisition and standardization. Objective: This study compared obstetrics and gynecology residents' perceptions of simulation-based versus apprenticeship laparoscopy training in Poland, focusing on expectations, skills acquisition, instructor engagement, and training structure. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 59 residents: 29 completed structured VR simulation-based courses and 30 participated in operating room apprenticeship. Data were collected using two course-specific questionnaires, from which nine comparable parameters were extracted. Chi-square tests were applied where distributions allowed; other items were analyzed descriptively. Results: Simulation participants reported significantly greater fulfillment of expectations (96.6% large/very large vs 6.7% apprenticeship; χ Conclusion: VR Simulation-based laparoscopy training was perceived as superior across expectations, skills acquisition, and structural factors. These findings, aligned with international literature, support integrating simulation as a mandatory component of gynecology residency curricula in Poland to improve both resident competence and patient safety.