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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

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Emergency Undocking in Robotic Surgery: A Simulation Curriculum
Published on: May 20, 2018
9.3K
Simulation training to retool practicing orthopedic surgeons is rare.
Graham Cate1, C Lowry Barnes2, Karen J Dickinson1,3,4
1College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA.
Summary
Simulation education for practicing orthopedic surgeons (OS) is infrequent. Most studies focus on residents, with OS validating skills rather than learning. Refocusing is needed for OS to retool skills with new surgical techniques.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Training
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Surgical practice evolves with technology, necessitating continuous skill development for practicing surgeons.
- Practicing surgeons require ongoing training in technical skills, leadership, communication, and critical thinking.
- Simulation offers a potential avenue for retooling and maintaining surgical expertise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review on the current status of simulation education for practicing orthopedic surgeons (OS).
- To assess the extent and nature of simulation-based training available for established orthopedic surgeons.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year literature search of PubMed, ERIC, and Web of Science was conducted.
- Keywords included simulation, training, and orthopedic surgeons, developed with subject matter experts.
- Two reviewers screened abstracts and full-text articles, extracting data on study design, participants, simulation type, and OS role.
Main Results:
- 80 articles were included, predominantly from the US and published recently.
- 99% of simulations focused on technical skills (arthroscopy, screw placement, ligament reconstruction).
- Practicing OS were rarely the primary learners (6%), often participating alongside residents (91%).
Conclusions:
- Simulation education specifically targeting practicing orthopedic surgeons is currently rare.
- Practicing surgeons are more frequently involved in validating simulation tools than receiving training.
- A shift in focus is required to prioritize simulation-based skill acquisition for practicing surgeons adopting new techniques.

