Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report on the use of Robotic-assisted total joint arthroplasty (RA-TJA) in China as well as the experience and expectations of Chinese doctors regarding this technology.
Method: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the current status of RA-TJA in China, the practical experience and suggestions for improvement of the technology by joint surgeons who have performed RA-TJA, and the interest and expectations of orthopaedic surgeons who have not used RA-TJA. The questionnaire was administered to all the physicians of the Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (CAOS).
Result: A total of 372 qualified questionnaires were generated, among which 28% (n = 104) of the respondents had performed RA-TJA, among those who had performed RA-TJA. When asked how helpful the joint replacement robot was actually/expected to be, there was no significant difference between the expected and actual experience of nonusers and users (p ≥ 0.05); the biggest disadvantage of the current development of RA-TJA was perceived as additional charges to the patient by those who had used it, while those who had not used it perceived it as a limitation of their hospital, both of which were significant differences. Most respondents in both groups (used: 94.2%; not used: 91.4%) were confident in the clinical development of the joint replacement robot.
Conclusion: This survey provides cross-sectional data on the current status of Chinese joint surgeons using or not using robots in their daily clinical practice. Improving surgical precision was the consensus of most respondents, while high surgical costs and limitations of hospital conditions were barriers to its development in China.
Keywords: Doctor’s experience; Questionnaire; Robot-assisted; Total joint arthtoplasty.
© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to SICOT aisbl.