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Robotic surgery training curricula: prevalence, perceptions, and educational experiences in general surgery residency
Matthew P Madion1, Andrew Kastenmeier1, Matthew I Goldblatt1
1Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226, USA.
Surgical Endoscopy
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Most general surgery residency programs now offer robotic surgery training curricula, with most programs established within the last three years. These programs typically begin robotic surgical education early in residency, but further standardization is needed.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Robotic Surgery
- Medical Training
Background:
- Robotic surgery utilization in general surgery has seen significant growth over the past decade.
- There is a need to assess the current landscape of robotic surgery training within US general surgery residency programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of robotic surgery training curricula in United States general surgery residency programs.
Main Methods:
- A 19-item survey was distributed to program directors via the Association of Program Directors in Surgery email list.
- Data collected included program demographics, program director opinions on robotic surgery, and the status of robotic surgery curricula.
- Statistical analysis was performed using Qualtrics, Microsoft Excel, and IBM SPSS, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Main Results:
- A response rate of 38.2% (107 of 280 program directors) was achieved.
- 70% of responding residency programs (75 programs) reported offering a formal robotic surgery curriculum.
- Programs with curricula considered robotic surgery 'Very important' or 'Probably important' (89%) more often than those without (72%, p=0.017).
- Most curricula (79%) have been in place for 3 years or less, with bedside assisting starting in PGY1/PGY2 (85%) and console operation in PGY2/PGY3 (72%).
Conclusions:
- A majority of general surgery residency programs now incorporate formal robotic surgery curricula, with most established recently.
- Robotic surgical training commonly begins in the early postgraduate years (PGY1-PGY3), allowing for bedside assisting and console experience.
- Further research is needed to define operative barriers and establish clear milestones for robotic surgery competency in general surgery trainees.
