Robotic General Surgery Resident Training Curriculum: A Pilot Experience

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to report the impact of a pilot robotic general surgery resident training curriculum.

Materials and methods: A single institution pilot robotic general surgery training curriculum was instituted in 2016. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education operative case log trends, resident simulation performance, and surveys were analyzed.

Results: Forty-three general surgery residents participated in the robotic surgery training curriculum, 2016 to 2019. In total, 161 robotic cases were logged, increasing each academic year. Residents acted as bedside assistant in 42.9% (n=69) and as console surgeon in 57.1% (n=92). Fifteen first-year residents were surveyed on the training curriculum. On the postcurriculum survey, 100% found the curriculum to be very helpful, notably the hands-on in-service and skills simulator.

Conclusions: Since the curriculum onset, residents participated in an increasing number of robotic operative cases and were actively engaged in simulation exercises. The establishment of this curriculum has facilitated the integration of resident education into the utilization of robotic technology. This study highlights the value of a formal robotic surgery curriculum for general surgery residency training.