Research

Research Committee
The vision of the Research Committee is to promote excellence in minimally invasive gynecology. The objectives of the committee include:

1. Identify key topics in need of further study
2. Facilitate research funding
3. Cultivate research collaboration
4. Promote innovation within the field of minimally invasive gynecology through research
5. Advance research education

Committee Members
Krisztina I. Bajzak, Chair, David L. Olive, William H. Parker, Eric R. Sokol, Frank F. Tu, Wendy K. Winer, Patrick P. Yeung

Committee members at the 37th Global Congress of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, November 2008.
L to R: Frank Tu, Eric R. Sokol, Krisztina Bajzak, William H. Parker

To help direct the research agenda, the committee identified key topics in need of research. In the summer of 2008, committee members submitted proposals for projects that were then assessed by the committee. Each proposal was graded based on:
• the importance of the research question
• quality of the protocol
• feasibility

The committee decided to pursue the two best projects first. The pilot study for one of the projects has been designed and we are currently applying for funding. Study design for the second project is under way.

Funding is a particularly challenging issue. As members may be aware, in 2008 the Foundation of the AAGL launched the Jordan M. Phillips Endowment. It is the committee’s aspiration that in the future the Foundation will raise enough funds to be able to create and administer an open competition for research grants for AAGL members. The committee would assist in evaluation of the applications. The research committee will work closely with the Foundation in the search and application for funding.

The committee is interested in identifying projects conducive to collaboration. If you have suggestions as to how we can meet this goal, please e-mail us at Research@aagl.org.

The committee seeks to promote innovation. We will host a session at the 2009 Global Congress where members will learn about the patent process and will have the opportunity to participate in an open forum to address some of the barriers to women’s care as well as potential solutions. In the future, we hope to coordinate resources to assist members to develop innovative ideas.

To help AAGL members participate in the research process, the committee will develop a research curriculum. We plan to use this curriculum in a number of different ways. We plan to offer sessions at the Global Congress, “How to” links on this web page, webcasts and much more. Additionally, we plan to assist in the mentoring of residents and fellows through the research and publication process.

Finally, we plan to measure the impact of our interventions to confirm we are on the right track in serving the organization and our members. Anyone can participate in research! All that is needed is interest and mentoring. The research committee is here to facilitate that process.