Simulation Overview

The Duke Ob/Gyn Residency Program’s simulation curriculum is designed to hone residents’ practical skills and foster a mindset for effective teamwork. The curriculum utilizes a blend of tabletop simulations and hands-on task training in a lab room/simulated environment to ensure a well-rounded learning experience. 

The curriculum is based on the following fundamental principles: 

  • Basic assumptions: Every learner has a unique set of experiences, skills and knowledge; we respect and build upon these differences to create a well-rounded learning experience.
  • Psychological safety: We provide an environment where learners can feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and openly express their thoughts and ideas. 
  • Think out loud, ask for help, time out as needed: Active participation and open communication is encouraged. Residents think out loud, ask for help when needed and call for a "time out" if the situation requires it.
  • Formative learning (not graded): The focus is on formative learning, which means residents participate to learn and grow, not to be graded. 
  • Debriefing: Each simulation session is followed by a comprehensive debriefing. 

PGY-1 Specific Skills Curriculum

DateSimulation
7/16/2026Postpartum Hemorrhage
8/6/2026Circumcision
8/19/2026PGY-1 Robotic Training (7-9 a.m.)
9/3/2026C-section (including Surgical Instrument Review)
9/17/2026Intro to Hysteroscopy (Wet and Dry Skills), Endometrial Ablation
9/24/2026Postpartum Tubal / Open Entry Lab


Resident Curriculum Overview 

DateSimulation
7/15/2026Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
8/19/2026EMIGs Training / Endometriosis 
9/16/2026OB Simulation — Day 1 (Cervical Checks / FSE / Amniotomy / Foley Balloon (PGY-1), Breech (PGY 2-4); Shoulder Dystocia)
10/21/2026Complex Hysteroscopy (Endosee, Resectoscope)
11/18/2026OB Laceration Lab
12/16/2026OB Simulation — Day 2 (Forceps, Vacuum)
1/20/2027Laparoscopic Myomectomy (Sonata + Accesa)
2/17/2027Communications Sim / Hemostasis Workshop + Vascular Injury
3/17/2027OB Simulation — Day 3 (AFE / DIC / Hemorrhage; MTP Lecture)
4/21/2027Hemostasis Workshop + Vascular Injury / Communications Sim
5/5/2027ED / OB Sim — Content TBD — EKG review, SVD; Telehealth ED / OB (Opioid Overdose); Eclampsia
6/16/2027OB Simulation — Day 4 (PPH Part #2 - O’Leary, B-Lynch; Uterine Inversion / Retained Placenta / Unique Presentations (i.e., face))

PGY-1 Specific Skills Curriculum

DateSimulation
7/24/2025Circumcision
8/20/2025PGY-1 Robotic Training  (7-9 a.m.)
8/28/2025C-section (including Surgical Instrument Review)
9/18/2025Intro to Hysteroscopy (Wet and Dry Skills), Endometrial Ablation, Postpartum Tubal  / Open Entry Lab


Resident Curriculum Overview 

DateSimulation
7/16/2025Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
8/20/2025PGY-1s and PGY-3s: Introduction to EMIGs
PGY-2s and PGY-4s: TVH Lab 
9/17/2025OB Simulation — Day 1 (Cervical Checks/Breech; Shoulder; Postpartum Hemorrhage)
10/15/2025Ovarian Cystectomy
11/19/2025OB Laceration Lab
12/17/2025Family Planning Day
1/21/2026Laparoscopic Myomectomy; (Sonata + Accesa)
2/18/2026Energy Academy
3/18/2026OB Simulation — Day 2 (Forceps; Vacuum; Paracervical / Pudendal / TPIs / Blocks)
4/15/2026Combined OB/GYN Skills Day (CKC, Cerclage, Morcellation, EMIGS Test Prep)
5/28/2026ED/OB Sim — Content TBD
6/17/2026OB Simulation — Day 3 (O’Leary, B-Lynch; Uterine Inversion)

PGY-1 Specific Skills Curriculum

Date Simulation
*8/21/2024 PGY-1 Robotic Training
7/25/2024 Circumcision
8/29/2024 C-section (including Surgical Instrument Review)
9/19/2024 Intro to Hysteroscopy, Myosure (Wet and Dry Skills), Novasure, Vessel Sealing


Resident Curriculum Overview 

Date Simulation
7/17/2024 Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
8/21/2024 Vascular Injury Sim + Bladder / Bowel Injury
9/18/2024 OB Simulation — Day 1 (Cervical Checks / Shoulder / PPH)
10/16/2024 PGY-1 and PGY-3: Introduction to EMIGs
PGY-2 and PGY-4: TVH Lab
11/20/2024 OB Laceration Lab
12/18/2024 OB Simulation — Day 2 (Breech; Manual Extraction of Placenta; Uterine Inversion, Ultrasound)
1/15/2025 Laparoscopic Myomectomy
2/19/2025 Communications Sim / Hemostasis Workshop
3/19/2025 OB Simulation — Day 3 (Forceps; Vacuum; Paracervical / Pundendal)
4/16/2025 Hemostasis Workshop / Communications Sim
5/21/2025 ED / OB Sim
6/18/2025 OB Simulation — Day 4 (O'Leary, B-Lynch; Postpartum Tubal / Open Entry Lab)

 

EMIGS / Endo

Resident practicing during EMIGS lab
Dr. Lachiewicz at the simulator
Simulator

Ovarian Cystectomy Sim

Ideal Ovarian Cystectomy Sim
Ideal ovarian cystectomy sim — longitudinal cut, no rupture
Sub-Optimal Ovarian Cystectomy Sim
Sub-optimal ovarian cystectomy sim — oblique or jagged cut, rupture
Solo Ovarian Cystectomy Sim
Solo ovarian cystectomy sim
Cooperative Ovarian Cystectomy Sim
Cooperative ovarian cystectomy sim
Solo ovarian cystectomy sim
Solo ovarian cystectomy sim

OB Sim

OB simulation
Residents practicing during OB sim day
OB simulation
Residents practicing during OB sim day
OB simulation
Residents practicing during OB sim day
Residents practicing OB simulation skills
Pudendal and paracervical nerve blocks
Residents practicing OB simulation skills
Pudendal and paracervical nerve blocks
Residents practicing OB simulation skills
Pudendal and paracervical nerve blocks
Residents practicing during OB sim day
Vacuum delivery
Residents practicing during OB sim day
Vacuum delivery
Residents practicing during OB sim day
Forceps delivery
Residents practicing during OB sim day
Forceps delivery
Residents practicing during OB sim day
Forceps delivery
Students training in OB simulation lab
Students training in OB simulation lab
Students training in OB simulation lab

AUB/TLH Sim

Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day
Residents practicing during AUB/TLH Day

TVH Simulation

Residents in TVH simulation lab
Residents in TVH simulation lab
Residents in TVH simulation lab
Residents in TVH simulation lab
Residents in TVH simulation lab
Residents in TVH simulation lab

Laceration Lab

Residents practicing during Laceration Lab
Residents practicing during Laceration Lab
Residents practicing during Laceration Lab
Residents practicing during Laceration Lab
Residents practicing during Laceration Lab
Residents practicing during Laceration Lab

Family Planning Simulation

Family planning simulation
Family planning simulation
Family planning simulation
Family planning simulation
Family planning simulation
Family planning simulation

Laparoscopic Myomectomy​

Residents practicing during Laparoscopic Myomectomy​ lab
Residents practicing during Laparoscopic Myomectomy​ lab
Residents practicing during Laparoscopic Myomectomy​ lab

Hysteroscopy Sim

Residents practicing during Hysteroscopy​ Sim
Residents practicing during Hysteroscopy​ Sim
Residents practicing during Hysteroscopy​ Sim

Student and Informal Training

Students training
Students training
Students training

Combined GYN/OB Skills Training

Vaginal morcellation
Vaginal morcellation
Laparoscopic suturing
Laparoscopic suturing
Cold knife cone and McDonald cerclage
Cold knife cone and McDonald cerclage
Vaginal surgery prep
Vaginal surgery prep

For questions about the Duke Ob/Gyn simulation program, please contact:

Dr. Mark Lachiewicz

Dr. Mark Lachiewicz
Director of Surgical Simulation
mark.lachiewicz@duke.edu