Development of a Basic Robotic Training Course for Residents in General Surgery in the Netherlands
Digestive Surgery, vol. 43, pp. 1–11
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The continued adoption of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in digestive surgery has created an increasing demand for structured training of surgical residents. However, standardized basic RAS training programs specifically designed for residents remain limited, resulting in variable exposure and skill acquisition. This study describes the development and evaluation of a structured basic RAS training course, to standardize education and improve residents' robotic surgery skills. METHODS: A 2-day, on-site basic RAS training course was developed by the Dutch Robotic Surgery Working Group and implemented at the OLV Robotic Surgery Institute (ORSI) academy between June 2021 and October 2023. The curriculum included lectures, interactive didactic sessions, simulation-based training, and both dry and wet laboratory exercises. The impact of the course on skill enhancement was assessed using pre- and post-course assessments. RESULTS: Seventy-five senior surgical residents with a specific interest in RAS participated. Simulator assessments showed significant improvements in overall score, task completion time, and economy of motion across all three exercises following course completion: exercise 1 (p < 0.001), exercise 2 (p < 0.001), exercise 3 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This 2-day basic robot training course significantly improved basic robotic skills of general surgery residents. The program provides essential preparation for safe clinical utilization of robotic surgery and may serve as a scalable model for future basic robotic training courses within surgical residency programs.
Authors 13
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands, fj.voskens@meandermc.nl
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Medisch Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Hospital Group Twente (ZGT), Almelo, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
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University Medical Center Utrecht
Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center · The Netherlands Cancer Institute
Affiliation as printed
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
Department of Surgery, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands
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Meander Medisch Centrum · University of Twente
Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, Meander Medical Center, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Robotics and Mechatronics, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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University Medical Center Utrecht
Affiliation as printed
Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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