Training for Minimally Invasive Cancer Surgery

The surgical oncologist of the future requires training in minimally invasive techniques. Increasing constraints on time and resources have led to a new emphasis on finding innovative ways to teach these surgical skills inside and outside the operating room. The goal of producing technically gifted minimally invasive surgical (MIS) oncologists requires robust, educationally sound training curricula. This article describes how MIS oncology training occurs at present with an outline of educational ideals training programs can strive for, provides two examples of successful MIS oncology programs to highlight effective strategies for moving forward, and introduces three new developments on the horizon.