User Experience Evaluation of a Spinal Surgery Robot: Workload, Usability, and Satisfaction Study.

Area of Science:

• Robotics in Medicine
• Surgical Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Robotic spine surgery has advanced since 2004, incorporating real-time navigation.
• Usability is a critical factor in the evolving market for robotic surgical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the user experience of a surgical-assistive robotic device.
• To evaluate workload, usability (System Usability Scale), and satisfaction (After-Scenario Questionnaire).
• To compare user experience across different occupational groups.

Main Methods:

• Usability evaluation by 15 doctors and 15 nurses.
• Participants performed essential surgical assistant robot scenarios.
• Collected data on satisfaction (ASQ), workload (NASA Task Load Index), and usability (SUS).

Main Results:

• Doctors and nurses achieved task success rates of 85% or higher.
• Low workloads were reported by all participants (NASA Task Load Index P=.77).
• Overall usability scores were similar between doctors (64.17) and nurses (61.67) (SUS P=.84).

Conclusions:

• Doctors and nurses evaluated the surgical-assist robot in a simulated operating room.
• Evaluating user experience with intended users can lead to improved robotic surgical interfaces.
• The study highlights the need for user-centered design in developing effective surgical robotic systems.