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. 2023 Aug;17(4):1443-1455.
doi: 10.1007/s11701-022-01518-2. Epub 2023 Feb 9.

Utilising an accelerated Delphi process to develop consensus on the requirement and components of a pre-procedural core robotic surgery curriculum

Affiliations

Utilising an accelerated Delphi process to develop consensus on the requirement and components of a pre-procedural core robotic surgery curriculum

Joshua Richard Burke et al. J Robot Surg. 2023 Aug.

Abstract

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) continues to grow globally. Despite this, in the UK and Ireland, it is estimated that over 70% of surgical trainees across all specialities have no access to robot-assisted surgical training (RAST). This study aimed to provide educational stakeholders guidance on a pre-procedural core robotic surgery curriculum (PPCRC) from the perspective of the end user; the surgical trainee. The study was conducted in four Phases: P1: a steering group was formed to review current literature and summarise the evidence, P2: Pan-Specialty Trainee Panel Virtual Classroom Discussion, P3: Accelerated Delphi Process and P4: Formulation of Recommendations. Forty-three surgeons in training representing all surgical specialties and training levels contributed to the three round Delphi process. Additions to the second- and third-round surveys were formulated based on the answers and comments from previous rounds. Consensus opinion was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. There was 100% response from all three rounds. The resulting formulated guidance showed good internal consistency, with a Cronbach alpha of > 0.8. There was 97.7% agreement that a standardised PPCRC would be advantageous to training and that, independent of speciality, there should be a common approach (95.5% agreement). Consensus was reached in multiple areas: 1. Experience and Exposure, 2. Access and context, 3. Curriculum Components, 4 Target Groups and Delivery, 5. Objective Metrics, Benchmarking and Assessment. Using the Delphi methodology, we achieved multispecialty consensus among trainees to develop and reach content validation for the requirements and components of a PPCRC. This guidance will benefit from further validation following implementation.

Keywords: Curriculum; Delphi method; Robot-assisted surgery; Robotic surgery; Training.

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Conflict of interest statement

ASiT has an educational and sponsorship relationship with CMR Surgical. DH has received funding from Intuitive Foundation. Simon Bach receives research funding from Intuitive Surgical Inc, USA. CF is in receipt of a European Society of Coloproctology Robotic Surgery Fellowship, supported by Intuitive Surgical Inc. JWC is an associate medical director at CMR Surgical Ltd, UK.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
There was 95.3% agreement that following successful completion of core robotic surgery training, a trainee should be able to proceed to procedural training in their preferred specialty
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
PRISMA flow diagram summarising the study selection process. PRISMA Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Training stage and preferred surgical speciality (n = 43)

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