Resident attitudes and compliance towards robotic surgical training

Abstract

Background: Adoption of robotics in general surgery has expanded but there is no mandatory national standardized curriculum for general surgery residents (GSR).

Methods: A survey was administered to all GSRs in 2014 addressing future practice and robotic experience. A non-mandatory robotic curriculum was available for residents to train. Compliance was assessed. In 2016, the same survey was re-administered. Barriers to completing the curriculum were identified.

Results: Interest in improving robotic skills remained high (2014 = 97.8% vs 2016 = 95.9%, p = 0.608), and the majority planned to incorporate robotics into future practice (77.8% vs 69.4%; p = 0.358). Only 11 residents (18%) voluntarily completed the curriculum while 36 (60%) started but did not complete. A trend toward increased procedure participation was seen (60.0%-77.6%, p = 0.066). The perceived barriers to completion of the curriculum were length of time required (80%) and lack of access to a simulator (60%).

Conclusions: A structured robotic training curriculum that is non-mandatory is insufficient in helping residents gain fundamental robotic skills.