Robotic simulation in urology training: implementation, curricula, and barriers across U.S. residency programs

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Robotic surgery is a cornerstone of modern urology.
• Simulation-based training offers a risk-free environment for developing surgical skills.
• Standardized training is crucial for resident proficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the adoption and structure of robotic simulation training in U.S. urology residency programs.
• To identify common curricula, mandatory training status, and implementation barriers.
• To gauge program directors' perceptions of simulation's educational value.

Main Methods:

• A Qualtrics survey was distributed to U.S. urology residency program directors.
• Program coordinators were contacted for non-responding programs.
• Responses were analyzed to assess curriculum presence, structure, and mandatory status.

Main Results:

• 93.9% of responding programs utilize robotic simulation training.
• 67.7% of programs mandate simulation training for residents.
• Only 51.6% reported structured curricula; 77.4% offered supervised training.
• Program directors rated simulation highly beneficial (average 4.18/5).

Conclusions:

• Robotic simulation is widely adopted in urology residency programs.
• Variability exists in mandatory implementation and structured curriculum development.
• Further standardization of robotic simulation training is recommended for consistent skill development.