title: Survey of obstetrics and gynecology residents' training and opinions on robotic surgery.
abstract: To investigate obstetrics and gynecology residents' access to training in robotics and their opinions of its utility and future in gynecologic surgery a 31-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to Ob/Gyn residents in the United States via email. Results were tabulated via SurveyMonkey.com(©). A total of 470 residents representative of all ACOG districts and PGY levels responded. A total of 72% of residents reported ≥3 staff surgeons performing robotic gynecologic surgery at their institution and 70% had participated in robotic surgery in the past 12 months. Robotic hysterectomy (81%) and oncologic surgery (76%) were the most frequently performed procedures. A total of 79% believe their institution should provide formal training in robotics, but only 38% report access to it. A total of 23% have operated at the surgeon console, and 44% plan to incorporate robotic surgery into their practice after completing residency. A total of 3.6% feel equipped to perform robotic surgery without additional training. A total of 63% believe robotic surgery in gynecology will continue to increase in popularity. Exposure to gynecologic robotic procedures during residency is increasing. Although residents believe robotics has a place in gynecology, many feel formalized training has not been successfully implemented into their residency. Development of a structured program for training residents in robotics merits further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. smitha30@ccf.org.|Cleveland Clinic Florida, 2950 Cleveland Clinic Boulevard, Weston, Fl, 33331, USA. smitha30@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Aimee L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Berens
keywords: Da Vinci®; Gynecology; Laparoscopy; Resident training; Robotics