Demonstrating the Effectiveness of The Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (Frs) on the Robotix Mentor Virtual Reality Simulation Platform

Abstract

Study Objective To determine if robotic surgery novices demonstrate improved technical skill after completing Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (FRS) proficiency-based psychomotor skills training using the RobotiX Mentor virtual reality (VR) platform. Design An observational, pre-post design, multi-institutional rater-blinded trial was conducted. Post-hoc comparisons were performed against previously published comparator groups. Setting Robotic surgery training facilities at the Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation, & Education (Houston, TX) and the Center for Education, Simulation & Innovation at Hartford Hospital (Hartford, CT) were used for this study. Patients or Participants Residents (n=20) who were robotic surgery novices were enrolled to participate. Interventions Participants completed FRS online didactic modules and were required to pass the FRS cognitive exam. Participants’ baseline robotic surgery skills were assessed on an avian tissue model with previously published validity evidence (pre-test). Participants then trained using the FRS proficiency-based progression curriculum on the RobotiX Mentor VR platform. Participants were required to perform each task to expert-derived benchmarks on consecutive attempts before proceeding to the next task. After training completion, participants were tested again on the avian tissue model (post-test). Pre- and post-tests were video recorded and assessed by blinded raters using the Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) and a 32-criteria psychomotor checklist. Measurements and Main Results On paired-samples T tests, participants demonstrated improved performance from pre- to post-test across all GEARS domains (depth perception, bimanual dexterity, efficiency, use of force, instrument control; p=0.01 to p Conclusion Completion of the FRS curriculum on the RobotiX Mentor VR training platform resulted in improved robotic surgery skills among novices, proving effectiveness of training. The RobotiX Mentor is recommended as a training platform for the FRS curriculum.