title: Developing a comprehensive, proficiency-based training program for robotic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Robotically assisted surgery has become very popular for numerous surgical disciplines, yet training practices remain variable with little to no validation. The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive, proficiency-based robotic training program.
  
  
  METHODS
  A skill deconstruction list was generated by observation of robotic operations and interviews with experts. Available resources were used, and other components were developed as needed to develop a comprehensive, proficiency-based curriculum to teach all deconstructed skills. Preliminary construct and content validity and curriculum feasibility were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The skill deconstruction list contained 23 items. Curricular components included an online tutorial, a half-day interactive session, and 9 inanimate exercises with objective metrics. Novice (546 ± 26) and expert (923 ± 60) inanimate composite scores were different (P < .001), supporting construct validity, and substantial pre-test to post-test improvement was noted after successful training completion. All 23 deconstructed skills were rated as highly relevant (4.9 ± 0.5; 5-point scale), and no skills were absent from the curriculum, supporting content validity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that this proficiency-based training curriculum comprehensively addresses the skills necessary to perform robotic operations with early construct and content validity and feasibility demonstrated. Further validation is encouraged.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9156, USA.
authors.forename: Genevieve
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dulan
authors.forename: Robert V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Rege
authors.forename: Deborah C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.forename: Kristine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Gilberg-Fisher
authors.forename: Nabeel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Arain
authors.forename: Seifu T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Tesfay
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012371:Robotics / Q000193:education*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000193:education*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014481:United States