Current status of robot-assisted urologic surgery in Saudi Arabia: Trends and opinions from an Internet-based survey

Abstract

Objectives:The objective of this study is to assess the current status of urologic robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in Saudi Arabia and evaluate perceptions of its importance and utility.Methods:A 59-item questionnaire was E-mailed to urologists and trainees in Saudi Arabia to assess the demographics and individual and institutional surgical practices of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with a focus on RAS and urologic subtypes.Results:Ninety-five surveys were completed. Nearly 53%, 46%, and 21% of respondents were formally trained in laparoscopic surgery, MIS, and RAS, respectively. Forty percent had used a robot console during training. Nearly 72% of participants felt that RAS training should be included to accomplish their career goals and stated that it would strengthen the department academically and financially. The absence of a robotic system (45%) and administrative disinterest with lack of support (39%) were the most common deterrents. Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC), and robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RARN) were regarded as the gold standard for 34%, 23%, and 17% of respondents, respectively. Respondents would recommend RARP (74%), RARC (50%), and RARN (57%) for themselves or their family. The greatest perceived benefits of RAS were its ease of use and improvement in the patient's quality of life.Conclusion:Urologists in Saudi Arabia recognize the superiority of RAS over traditional surgical methods but lack exposure, training, and access to RAS. This survey reveals increasing acceptance of RAS and willingness to incorporate the technology into practice.

Digital implications for human resource management in surgical departments

“…In addition, digital interfaces and functions can be used to supply managers with data for decision-making or process analyses, such as performance figures or personnel data (e.g., personnel deployment, taking full-time equivalents into account). Digital tools used in surgery, such as planning of operations or robotic systems such as the Da Vinci System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA), could be used in interviews and advertisements for potential employees to increase the institutional attractiveness [ 31 ].…”

Robot-assisted urological surgery in the Middle East: Where are we and how far can we go?

“…Many countries in the Middle East still lack surgical robots, despite having the expertise and high caseload, whilst others seem not to use the da Vinci Surgical System at a suitable rate, as reflected by the sparse number of operated cases and outgoing publications. Acceptance of robots by Middle East surgeons is significantly increasing, so that urologists are considering RAS to be the standard for RP, pyeloplasty, and PN [46].…”

Current Situation and Development Trend of Online Education Technology

“…Firstly, compared with traditional courses, Online-educations have changed in teaching mode, teaching means and learning content, because through the classroom teaching of Online-educations, teachers can constantly absorb new content and new knowledge, so as to ensure that the learning content of Online-educations keeps pace with the times. From figure 1, we can conclude that in this process, teachers change their status from teaching leader to teaching process [2] .…”