Faculty Collaboration Database

Robotic surgery training curricula: prevalence, perceptions, and educational experiences in general surgery residency programs. Surg Endosc 2022 Sep;36(9):6638-6646

Date

01/11/2022

Pubmed ID

35001224

DOI

10.1007/s00464-021-08930-z

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85122704712 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   13 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Utilization of robotics in general surgery has increased exponentially in the past decade. The purpose of this study was to provide an updated analysis of the prevalence of robotic training curricula among general surgery residency programs across the United States.

METHODS: A 19-item survey was distributed to program directors of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery email list. The survey focused on the programs' demographics, program directors' opinions of robotic surgery, and status of robotic surgery curricula. Data was compiled and analyzed using Qualtrics Survey Software, Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS. Chi-Squared statistical significance was defined as a p value of < 0.05.

RESULTS: Of the 280 program directors, 107 (38.2%) responded. Overall, 75 (70%) residency programs provided a formal robotic surgery curriculum. Regarding the importance of robotics to general surgery training, 67 (89%) programs that provided a formal robotic surgery curriculum stated it was either 'Very important' or 'Probably important' as opposed to 23 (72%) programs that did not offer a formal robotic surgery curriculum (p = 0.017). 73 of the 75 residency programs with a formal robotic surgery training curriculum answered the curriculum specific questions. 58 (79%) had been present for 3 years or less. Bedside assisting began in 62 (85%) programs as a post-graduate year (PGY) 1 or PGY2 and residents began operating on the console as a PGY2 or PGY3 in 53 (72%) programs. However, there was variability regarding the percentage of the case a senior resident actually operated on the robotic console.

CONCLUSIONS: A majority of general surgery residency programs offer formal robotic surgery curricula and have been present for 3 years or less. Most residencies begin their curricula in PGY1 or PGY2 year, with an opportunity to bedside assist and operate on the robotic console in the first 3 years of residency. Operative barriers and defined milestones for general surgery trainees need to be identified.

Author List

Madion MP, Kastenmeier A, Goldblatt MI, Higgins RM

Authors

Matthew I. Goldblatt MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Rana Higgins MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Curriculum
Education, Medical, Graduate
General Surgery
Humans
Internship and Residency
Prevalence
Robotic Surgical Procedures
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States