title: Competency based training in robotic surgery: benchmark scores for virtual reality robotic simulation.
abstract: To develop benchmark scores of competency for use within a competency based virtual reality (VR) robotic training curriculum.
  
  
  
  This longitudinal, observational study analysed results from nine European Association of Urology hands-on-training courses in VR simulation. In all, 223 participants ranging from novice to expert robotic surgeons completed 1565 exercises. Competency was set at 75% of the mean expert score. Benchmark scores for all general performance metrics generated by the simulator were calculated. Assessment exercises were selected by expert consensus and through learning-curve analysis. Three basic skill and two advanced skill exercises were identified.
  
  
  
  Benchmark scores based on expert performance offered viable targets for novice and intermediate trainees in robotic surgery. Novice participants met the competency standards for most basic skill exercises; however, advanced exercises were significantly more challenging. Intermediate participants performed better across the seven metrics but still did not achieve the benchmark standard in the more difficult exercises.
  
  
  
  Benchmark scores derived from expert performances offer relevant and challenging scores for trainees to achieve during VR simulation training. Objective feedback allows both participants and trainers to monitor educational progress and ensures that training remains effective. Furthermore, the well-defined goals set through benchmarking offer clear targets for trainees and enable training to move to a more efficient competency based curriculum.
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.|The London Clinic, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raison
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fossati
authors.affiliation: Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicolò
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buffi
authors.affiliation: OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mottrie
authors.affiliation: MRC Centre for Transplantation, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Prokar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Der Poel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019985:Benchmarking; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D065287:Robotic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D000066908:Simulation Training
keywords: curriculum; hands-on-training; robotic surgery; virtual reality simulation training