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Feasibility and skill acquisition for a novel proficiency-based robotic surgery curriculum: a randomized medical student pilot

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Global Surgical Education - Journal of the Association for Surgical Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The SimNow virtual reality platform was recently introduced but lacked validity evidence. Our team developed a novel robotic curriculum consisting of 19 SimNow drills and three inanimate drills with previously reported content and construct validity evidence and expert-derived proficiency levels. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and skill acquisition for novices.

Methods

Based on pre-test performance, second-year medical students (n = 20) were stratified and randomized (3:1 ratio). Group-1 underwent self-practice to proficiency on 19 SimNow and three inanimate drills (DaVinci-Xi System). Group-2 received no training. Both groups were pre- and post-tested using five representative SimNow drills and the three inanimate drills, as well as three inanimate transferability drills. Scores were based on time and errors.

Results

In Group-1, five individuals did not complete training. After 5 months, data were analyzed for Group-1 (n = 10, all participants reached proficiency on all drills) and Group-2 (n = 5). Total curriculum time (Group-1) was 12.1 [11.3–12.7] h with 149 [162–170] repetitions. There was no performance difference between groups at baseline (6.6 vs 7.4; p = 0.68). At post-test, Group-1 performed significantly better than Group-2 (81.7 vs 22.1; p < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study evaluated feasibility and quantified skill acquisition associated with our proficiency-based robotic curriculum. Novices were able to complete the curriculum in a reasonable amount of time and achieve expert-derived performance levels. We are optimistic about the utility of this curriculum for training residents and faculty.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge support provided by the UT Southwestern Simulation Center. We would also like to thank the medical students who volunteered their time to participate in this study.

Funding

No funding received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX, 75390-9159, USA

    Madhuri B. Nagaraj, Hayley B. Baker, Patricio M. Polanco, Imad Radi, Rodrigo E. Alterio, Juan C. Tellez, Herbert J. Zeh & Daniel J. Scott

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  1. Madhuri B. Nagaraj
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  2. Hayley B. Baker
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  3. Patricio M. Polanco
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  7. Herbert J. Zeh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Madhuri B. Nagaraj.

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Nagaraj, M.B., Baker, H.B., Polanco, P.M. et al. Feasibility and skill acquisition for a novel proficiency-based robotic surgery curriculum: a randomized medical student pilot. Global Surg Educ 1, 67 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44186-022-00061-w

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