Implementation of a standardized robotic assistant surgical training curriculum

Since 2000, robotic-assisted surgery has rapidly expanded into almost every surgical sub-specialty. Despite the popularity of robotic surgery across the United States, a national consensus for standardized training and education of robotic surgeons or surgical teams remains absent. In this quality improvement initiative, a novel, stepwise iterative Robotic Assistant Surgical Training (RAST) curriculum was developed to broaden and standardize robotic bedside assistant training. Thirteen voluntary participants, capable of fulfilling the bedside assistant role, were evaluated to determine if RAST enhanced the learner's self-perceived level of confidence and comfort in their role as bedside assistant. A pre- and post-RAST training survey and a between-stages repeated-measures survey were conducted. All learner participants reported statistically significant increases in confidence and comfort after RAST training, (p = < 0.001), and between each stage, F (2, 24 = 60.47, p <.001; eta(2)(p) = 0.834). Participant feedback regarding curriculum improvement was obtained, suggesting the desire for more training and practice, in smaller groups of 2-3 participants. One hundred percent of participants felt RAST was beneficial and that it should be implemented as standardized training during onboarding for all robotic bedside assistants. Thus, a standardized, stepwise iterative robotic bedside assistant curriculum increases learner preparedness, comfort, and confidence, safely away from the patient bedside.