The RCSI curriculum for robotic surgery training - setting the standard for future minimally invasive surgeons

The growing adoption of robotic platforms necessitates structured training to ensure safe, competent and confident use by the next generation of surgeons. Current robotic surgery training in Ireland is informal, opportunistic and inconsistent, limiting the ability of trainees to gain meaningful experience. Transitioning to robotic practice therefore is far from routine and requires exposure, experience and guidance. A curriculum for robotic surgery training to address these gaps by providing a structured, scalable, and vendor-neutral training pathway has been identified as a potential solution to address these shortcomings.

The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) robot surgery curriculum was designed using Kern's Six-Step Framework for curriculum development, an evidence-based approach utilising six aspects for development to ensure a scalable, reproducible and practical model fit for purpose. By identifying training gaps in robotic training, essential learning outcomes were defined and appropriate educational methods designed to provide a flexible structure that can evolve over time with changes in the robotic surgery landscape. Development of the educational content was designed in consultation with the RCSI Surgical Leads Group and influenced by international best practice, namely bodies such as ERUS, BAUS and the Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (FRS) while being uniquely adapted for the Irish training and healthcare landscape.

A curriculum focusing on a vendor-neutral, pan speciality approach to training was developed to develop an equitable, adaptable and strong foundational opt-in approach. Delivered over three years, initial technical skills focus is on VR simulation followed by hands-on structured training days on the foundations of assisting and robotic skills fundamentals on high fidelity hydrogel and animal models. Core human factors themes such as communication, leadership and role clarity as well as emergency preparedness are embedded in the curriculum from the outset. Success in a final knowledge and skills assessment equips the trainee with a certificate of completion. Practicalities such as supply, demand, equipment and infrastructural considerations are also discussed. Trainee and trainer feedback as well as evaluation metrics ensures the curriculum evolves and remains relevant.

The RCSI robotic surgery curriculum provides a national strategy to the standardisation of robotic training for those who wish to pursue it, across all specialities in a vendor neutral fashion. Central to the design is to integrate essential, structured non-technical skills such as team communication, role clarity, emergency response and situational awareness to ensure a broader focus on human factors as well as technical proficiency based on theory, simulation and repetitive practice to prepare trainees for the complex team-based reality of robotic surgery.