Minimally Invasive Surgery Deserts: Is There a Role for Robotic Assisted Surgery?

Despite evidence indicating patient and hospital benefits of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) over open surgery, there is still access barriers to MIS. Availability of training and associated learning curve, health literacy, and hospital characteristics (location, size) have been identified as the primary barriers to the adoption of MIS. Robotic assisted surgery could help to overcome some of these barriers and increase access to MIS through easier tele-mentoring and potential for remote access.