Structured robotic surgery training in Germany: a five-year evaluation of the German curriculum for robot-assisted...

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has become a standard procedure for the surgical management of localized and locally advanced prostate cancer (PC). Surgical outcomes are closely linked to the training and experience of the operating surgeon. In 2017, the German Society for Robot-assisted Urology (DGRU) in cooperation with the working group Robotics and laparoscopy of the German Urology Society (DGU) launched a structured national curriculum designed to train new console surgeons through a standardized, competency-based educational program. This study evaluates the first five years of the curriculum, focusing on operative exposure, post-curricular activity, and perceived career impact. A structured electronic survey was distributed to all 48 participants who completed the curriculum between 2017 and 2022. Data were collected from December 2022 to February 2023 using an anonymized online questionnaire. Items included demographics, training conditions, operative volume, outcomes of RARP cases, and professional development. Descriptive statistics were generated from the anonymized dataset. Response rate was 85%, and 93% of respondents had completed the curriculum at the time of data collection. Most trainees reported substantial console exposure and institutional support during training. After graduation, approximately half of the participants had independently performed at least 100 RARPs, while 7.3% reported no complete independent procedures. The majority indicated professional advancement, increased involvement in robotic surgery, and participation in teaching. Functional and oncological outcomes were self-reported by participants and were broadly consistent with published benchmark ranges. Overall satisfaction with the curriculum was high, and participants strongly recommended the program. The first five years of the DGRU RARP curriculum demonstrate successful integration of robotic surgery into clinical practice, substantial operative activity after graduation, and positive participant-reported career development. These findings support the value of structured national training programs in complex urologic surgery.