Development of a Senior Medical Student Robotic Surgery Training Elective

Abstract

As robotic surgery has become more widespread, early exposure to the robotic platform is becoming increasingly important, not only to graduate medical education, but also for medical students pursuing surgical residency. In an effort to orient students to robotic technology and decrease the learning curve for what is likely to become an integral part of residency training, we created a formal, elective robotic surgery curriculum for senior medical students. Throughout this 2-week fourth year rotation, students completed online training modules and assessment; mastered exercises on the simulator system related to the console, camera, energy, dexterity, and suturing skills; attended didactics; utilized the dual console during one-on-one simulation lab sessions with attending robotic surgery experts; and translated new skills to biotissue anastomoses as well as bedside-assisting in the operating room. During cases, students were able to have more meaningful observation experiences, recognizing the significance of various robotic approaches employed and utilization of specific instruments. Future aims of this rotation will assess student experience as it impacts readiness for surgical residency.

Robotic training for medical students: feasibility of a pilot simulation curriculum

“…Third, the value of a pilot was recognized. While robotic curricula for surgical residents have been developed [4], our findings contribute to the limited, yet growing literature base of medical student involvement in robotic simulation [5,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. However, much literature to-date has leveraged medical student naivety to the robot, laparoscopic surgery, and simulation to study various characteristics of the robotic learning curve [11][12][13][14] and, moreover, focused on the robotic console [11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

“…However, much literature to-date has leveraged medical student naivety to the robot, laparoscopic surgery, and simulation to study various characteristics of the robotic learning curve [11][12][13][14] and, moreover, focused on the robotic console [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Few studies have aimed at developing robotic curricula specifically for medical students, with a particular emphasis on the bedside assist role where students may legitimately be engaged in the robotic OR, as we have [5].…”

“…Educators have developed successful robotic curricula for surgical residents demonstrating significant performance improvement [ 4 ]. While curricula preparing medical students for robotic skills as residents are emerging [ 5 ], we lack curricula for active student role(s) during robotic cases, which is a failed opportunity to facilitate learning. This gap has particular implications for individuals bound for specialties that include robotics as optimizing preparedness for medical students may address the notably low robotic autonomy residents experience [ 6 ].…”

Awareness and level of digital literacy among students receiving health-based education

“…through a digital literacy course [ 58 ]. In addition, the benefits of introducing medical students via a rotation in a simulation lab to innovations, such as robotic surgery, earlier during their education were mentioned [ 59 ]. Indeed, our students stated in their interview that they welcome robotic surgery since they reduce human errors and are open to learning new technological developments such as decision support software and prosthesis.…”

Wahlfach Robotische Chirurgie – Faszination Lehre(n)?

“…Das 2‑wöchige Curriculum von Mullens et al. ähnelt einem Intensivkurs mit sehr hohem Praxisanteil und einer Vielzahl an Übungen am Simulator, aber auch im Wet Lab sowie einer Assistenz während einer robotischen Operation [ 13 ]. Moglia et al.…”