Physician Articles Archive
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“Time for a New Approach” Download the PDF version: When one compares the growth curve of laparoscopic cholecystectomies to laparoscopic hysterectomies there is a distinct difference. Fifteen years after the adoption 80% of cholecystectomies are done laparoscopically. On the other hand 15 years after the introduction of laparoscopic hysterectomies only about 15% are done by this technique. So why is there this difference between general surgeons and gynecologists? The former depend on referrals from others physicians and the latter, by in large, self refer. In other words the general surgeon must stay competitive in the skills they offer where as the average gynecologist has much less need to do so. This difference can’t be explained because gynecologists have been slow in adopting minimally invasive techniques. It was, after all, gynecologists who, through the AAGL, first brought modern laparoscopy into their practices for the benefit of their patients. But AAGL members have never been representative of the average gynecologist. We have always been “early adopters” who have brought to our patients the latest technologies available. For 36 years the AAGL has offered training programs, conferences and peer reviewed publications in an effort to bring all gynecologists into the AAGL realm of minimally invasive surgery. Our lack of success can be seen in the above figures. So we are trying a new approach. With the very generous support of corporate sponsors American Medical Systems, Boston Scientific, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Ethicon Women’s Health & Urology and Karl Storz Endoscopy America we have engaged Ogilvy, a New York public relations firm, to help us spread the word of AAGL members to all patients. And what is that word? It is that patients should expect their gynecologist to offer minimally invasive techniques and if they do not they should seek a gynecologist who can. And the odds are good it will be an AAGL member they contact. _____________________ Reprinted with permission from NewsScope. Copyright 2007 by the AAGL, Advancing Minimally Invasive Gynecology Worldwide, www.aagl.org. |
Time for a New Approach
