What do nurses experience in communication when assisting in robotic surgery: an integrative literature review

Communication in surgery is integral to the fundamentals of perioperative nursing practice and patient safety. Research exploring team communication in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is evident in the literature but little attention has been focused on how the experiences of operating room nurses' communication affect safety, practice and patient care outcomes.

To synthesise current evidence regarding communication during robotic-assisted surgery as experienced by registered nurses.

An integrative literature review informed by Whittemore and Knafl's (2005) methodology was used to conduct a rigorous analysis and synthesis of evidence.

A comprehensive database search was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. CINAHL, Pubmed, PsychINFO and British Nursing Web of Science databases were searched using a Boolean strategy.

Twenty-five relevant papers were included in this literature review. Thematic analysis revealed two main themes with four related subthemes. The two main themes are: 'Adaptive operating room nursing in RAS' and 'RAS alters team dynamics'. The four subthemes are: 'Navigating disruptions in RAS', 'RAS heightens interdependence on team working', 'Augmented communicative workflow in RAS', and 'Professional empowerment to speak up'.

This integrative review identifies how current research largely focuses on communication in the wider OR team. However, current evidence lacks the input of nurses. Therefore, further evidence is needed to explore nurses' experiences to highlight their perspectives.

Robotics significantly benefit patients, and this review identifies different challenges that robotic-assisted surgery nurses encounter. A better understanding of the communication from the perspective of nurses is needed to guide future research, practice education, policy development and leadership/management.