The Impact of Robotic-Assisted Surgery on Team Performance: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

The aim of this study is to describe the impact of robotic-assisted surgery on team performance in the operating room.

The introduction of surgical robots has improved the technical performance of surgical procedures but has also contributed to unexpected interactions in surgical teams, leading to new types of errors.

A systematic literature search of Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases using key words and MeSH terms was conducted. Screening identified studies employing qualitative and quantitative methods published between January 2000 and September 2019. Two reviewers independently appraised the methodological quality of the articles using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (2018). Discussions were held among authors to examine quality scores of the studies and emergent themes, and agreement was reached through consensus. Themes were derived using inductive content analysis.

Combined searches identified 1,065 citations. Of these, 19 articles, 16 quantitative and 3 qualitative, were included. Robotic-assisted surgeries included urology, gynecology, cardiac, and general procedures involving surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and technicians. Three themes emerged: Negotiating the altered physical environs and adapting team communications to manage task and technology; managing the robotic system to optimize workflow efficiency; and technical proficiency depends on experience, team familiarity, and case complexity.

Inclusion of a robot as a team member adds further complexity to the work of surgery.

These review findings will inform training programs specifically designed to optimize teamwork, workflow efficiency, and learning needs.