title: Development of a transoral robotic surgery program in Canada.
abstract: Due to significant differences in healthcare structure between the United States and Canada, there are unique barriers to adopting new medical technology in Canada. In this article, we describe our experience developing a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) program at Western University. Specifically, we outline the steps that were necessary to obtain institutional and multidisciplinary team approval, financial support, as well as surgeon and allied healthcare personnel training. This experience can potentially be used as a roadmap for other Canadian institutions pursuing a TORS program.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada. Anthony.Nichols@lhsc.on.ca.
authors.forename: Anthony C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Corina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chapeskie
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Dowthwaite
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Basmaji
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhaliwal
authors.forename: Christopher C T
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Szeto
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Palma
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Theurer
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Corsten
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Odell
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Jason H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoo
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D016730:Program Development; D012371:Robotics / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D059525:Supraglottitis