Modular Training for Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Where to Begin?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2017

Publication Title

J Surg Educ

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Effective training is paramount for patient safety. Modular training entails advancing through surgical steps of increasing difficulty. This study aimed to construct a modular training pathway for use in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). It aims to identify the sequence of procedural steps that are learnt before surgeons are able to perform a full procedure without an intervention from mentor.

DESIGN: This is a multi-institutional, prospective, observational, longitudinal study. We used a validated training tool (RARP Score). Data regarding surgeons' stage of training and progress were collected for analysis. A modular training pathway was constructed with consensus on the level of difficulty and evaluation of individual steps. We identified and recorded the sequence of steps performed by fellows during their learning curves.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We included 15 urology fellows from UK, Europe, and Australia.

RESULTS: A total of 15 surgeons were assessed by mentors in 425 RARP cases over 8 months (range: 7-79) across 15 international centers. There were substantial differences in the sequence of RARP steps according to the chronology of the procedure, difficulty level, and the order in which surgeons actually learned steps. Steps were not attempted in chronological order. The greater the difficulty, the later the cohort first undertook the step (p = 0.021). The cohort undertook steps of difficulty level I at median case number 1. Steps of difficulty levels II, III, and IV showed more variation in median case number of the first attempt. We recommend that, in the operating theater, steps be learned in order of increasing difficulty. A new modular training route has been designed. This incorporates the steps of RARP with the following order of priority: difficulty level > median case number of first attempt > most frequently undertaken in surgical training.

CONCLUSIONS: An evidence-based modular training pathway has been developed that facilitates a safe introduction to RARP for novice surgeons.

Medical Subject Headings

Australia; Clinical Competence; Education, Medical, Graduate; Europe; Fellowships and Scholarships; Humans; Internationality; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Prospective Studies; Prostatectomy; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Simulation Training; United Kingdom; Urology

PubMed ID

27932307

Volume

74

Issue

3

First Page

486

Last Page

494

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