title: Education and training in pediatric robotic surgery: lessons learned from an inaugural multinational workshop.
abstract: The introduction of robotic surgery into clinical practice brings new and specific needs for education and training. Application to the pediatric setting comes with unique considerations, warranting dedicated training resources that are accessible. A pediatric robotic surgery workshop was convened to address initial education and training requirements. The event was designed to offer an exposure rich environment for delegates to familiarize and learn basic principles in a maximally efficient manner. Pre- and post-workshop survey responses were evaluated to reflect on the quality of the educational experience and scope for improvement. Feasibility and sustainability of such events was further evaluated by reviewing various challenges encountered. A total of 29 surgeons participated in the workshop, with 7 countries represented. The majority of delegates (94 %) indicated they were "very satisfied" with the overall program. Delegates almost unanimously expressed preference and satisfaction for hands-on content. Qualitative feedback favored a stepwise and modular workshop structure, transitioning from didactic teaching to progressively more advanced training. At the basic and intermediate level, this style of event is able to satisfy initial training and educational needs. Feasibility and sustainability of such events is highly dependent on infrastructure resources that have numerous barriers to accessibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK. t.cundy@imperial.ac.uk.|The Hamlyn Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, 3rd floor Paterson Building, St Mary's Hospital, London, W2 1PF, UK. t.cundy@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Cundy
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: Erik K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Juan I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Camps
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Urology, Department of Urology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation and University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelizzo
authors.affiliation: The Hamlyn Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, 3rd floor Paterson Building, St Mary's Hospital, London, W2 1PF, UK.
authors.forename: Guang-Zhong
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College, London, UK.|The Hamlyn Centre, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College, 3rd floor Paterson Building, St Mary's Hospital, London, W2 1PF, UK.
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Azad S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Najmaldin
mesh_terms: D004493:Education; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*
keywords: Education; Pediatric; Robot assisted; Robotic; Training