In Reply:

In Reply: We thank Drs. Sutkin, Ollendorff, and Gaba for their interest in our article in the September 2024 issue, and we value the opportunity to discuss the trial design.1 In this randomized controlled trial, the control group completed the standard curriculum during the 4-week gynecology rotation. The experimental group completed the standard curriculum with the addition of video coaching sessions. The primary outcome was the comparison of modified GOALS (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills) and OSA-LS (Objective Structured Assessment of Laparoscopic Salpingectomy) scores between the control and video-based coaching groups for videos 1, 2, and 3. We appreciate the Letter writers' discussion regarding educational trial design. Indeed, we did approach the study design with equipoise. Video-based coaching is a novel concept that traditionally has not been used in obstetrics and gynecology resident education curricula. For the purpose of this study, half of the residents did not receive video coaching; however, residents repeat the gynecology rotation two to three times as junior learners and may receive coaching at a later time. We designed the study in this manner so that it would be feasible to execute and complete an evaluation of this novel educational method. Using a preintervention and postintervention study design would be pragmatically challenging—to complete two coaching sessions for every resident enrolled to achieve a minimum sample size for adequate power using one surgical coach. Additionally, challenges in academic medicine balancing clinical responsibilities, faculty time restrictions, resident work hour restrictions, and varying rotating schedules would make this study design difficult to accomplish in a timely manner. Therefore, the intent of this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of video coaching on trainees’ laparoscopic surgical skills using an objective measure (validated assessment scales). Because our study has demonstrated benefits to coaching, programs will need to consider how best to feasibly incorporate video coaching into the surgical education curriculum for all trainees.