Time to consider integration of a formal robotic-assisted surgical training program into obstetrics/gynecology residency curricula

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to describe robotic-assisted surgery training programs currently being used by ACGMEaccredited obstetrics and gynecology (OB/Gyn) residency programs and to explore residents' attitudes towards their robotic surgery training curricula to evaluate resident desire for robotics training. We conducted a cross-sectional study of OB/Gyn residents for the 2015-2016 academic year. Participants completed a 31-item online questionnaire regarding their roboticassisted surgical training and associated perspectives. Analyses of these data were primarily descriptive. In total, 98.9% of included respondents (N = 177) reported availability of a surgical robot at their training institution, and 35.0% of participants reported not having any structured robotics training program at their institution. The most commonly used training modalities included online modules (62.2%), dual-assist console (55.1%) and virtual reality simulation (50.3%). The most commonly reported barriers to completing a robots training were a lack of personal time (56.2%) and availability of the virtual reality simulator or access to the robotic equipment (29.2%). OB/Gyn residents desire robotics training and are exposed to a wide variety of training modalities. The ACGME should consider recommending the incorporation of a standardized formal robotics training program as part of the OB/Gyn residency curriculum.

Residency Training in Robotic General Surgery: A Survey of Program Directors

“…Comparable to previous studies about robotics education, this study finds that there needs to be greater emphasis on robotics surgery education during residency [ 5 , 10 ]. Furthermore, results from robotics education studies in other surgical specialties also support the results of this survey that there is a need to develop a structured curriculum in robotic surgery [ 11 – 14 ].…”

Robotic surgery training during general surgery residency: a survey comparing attitudes towards a robotic training curriculum within general surgery, urology, and OBGYN residents and attendings

“…Although robotic surgery was adopted earlier in urology and OBGYN compared to general surgery, the subspecialty residency programs have also not yet implemented a standardized curriculum for robotic surgery training. In a national survey of 183 OBGYN residents, only 65% were required to complete a formal robotics curriculum [12]. A lack of a standardized robotic curriculum in urology residency is also apparent in the self-perceived competence levels in urology residents.…”

Practical Considerations Regarding Recommendations for an Educational Program in Robot Assisted Gynaecological Surgery

“…The experts agreed on basic simulation training, including virtual reality (VR) simulation, dry lab training and wet-lab training [2]. The commonly used simulator, 'Da Vinci Skills Simulator' by Intuitive, runs on the 'Da Vinci master console' and is only available for simulation when it's not used in the theatre [7,8]. The robotic systems are expensive and in high clinical demand, which compromises the available training time [9].…”

“…Vetter et al performed an online questionnaire for residents regarding their RAS training [8]. Trainees identified dual-assist training as being the most useful.…”