Standards for gynecologic surgery.

There are significant problems to consider when we reflect on "Standards for Gynecologic Surgery." Surely most professional standards are already in place, or are they? Are standards already available, locally, nationally, or internationally? Where those standards are not already available will it be possible set new standards for the multiplicity of operative interventions, performed by an array of trainees, specialists, and colleagues many of whom are outside of our remit and spread over the continents? If we do set standards how do we audit outcomes to gynecologic surgery and insure that the standards are being complied with? How do we tutor our trainees effectively and also insure that established specialists retain their skill base, are up-to-date, and compliant with continuing medical education? It is important to realize that the success or failure of a modern surgical investigation or procedure will now be judged not on the pure surgical outcome alone, but will also need to reflect patient focus through excellence in the areas of communication, patient information, informed consent and confidentiality. The accessibility to services, appropriate environment, and processes being offered by trained and competent staff members-who are supervised when required-should all be included in audits of outcomes set against agreed auditable standards.