*Purpose: Continuing professional development (CPD) workshops are emerging to fill critical knowledge and skill gaps in both surgical trainees and practicing surgeons. The ASTS has recently developed CPD courses in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) and donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver procurement using live surgery observation, lectures by subject matter experts, and hands-on cadaver experience during intensive two-day training sessions. Our aim was to examine the effectiveness of these workshops in improving learner skill and confidence.

*Methods: The LDN Workshop (2017-2018) and DCD Liver Workshop (2018-2019) had 36 and 20 participants, respectively, that completed assessments. The LDN workshop assessed procedural confidence pre- and 3 months post-attendance, measured categorically from 0 to 100%. The DCD workshop assessed DCD procedural comfort pre-and post-attendance at multiple time points using a 5-point Likert scale. To ascertain DCD knowledge acquisition, pre- and post-knowledge exams were completed in 2019. Descriptive statistics were calculated by group, and t-tests were utilized to test significance, respectively.

*Results: Before the LDN workshop, 61% of participants reported less than 50% confidence in independent procedural performance. Following the workshop, 95% reported improved confidence. At 3 month follow-up, there was a 30% (<0.05) increase in median confidence level. Participants also reported improved ability to analyze kidneys prior to donation, enhanced ability to risk stratify donors, strengthened operative techniques, and the intent to implement new diagnostic treatments and surgical strategies.

The mean pre-workshop DCD procedural comfort was self-reported in the initial and follow-up surveys and was 2.8, 3.2, and 3.5, respectively, at 12 months post the 2018 workshop, 3 months post the 2019 workshop, and directly following the 2019 workshop. Statistically significant increases of mean post procedural comfort (i.e., 4.0, 4.5, and 4.3) were found in each of the three groups (<0.05). DCD knowledge pre- and post-workshop increased in 88% of participants.

*Conclusions: These results suggest that CPD workshops can improve confidence and increase learners’ knowledge and skillset in high-stakes procedures. CPD workshops are a useful adjunct to fellowship training and in-practice experience to optimize the successful, efficient, and safe performance of demanding procedures.

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