David L Crawford and Anthony M Dwyer
University of Illinois-College of Medicine, USA
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Univer Surg
Statement of the Problem: Since no validated robotic surgical curriculum exists, a systematic approach to credentialing and training robotic surgeons using technical skills, evaluation, interventions aimed at the enhancing skill evaluation and standardizing assessment tools for certification needed to be created. Best practices include a preclinical training assessment, didactic sessions, online tutorial and hands on components utilizing simulators and dry labs and cadaveric labs. This pathway was chosen to limit a learning curve of transiting and adopting new skills. The clinical training is a deliberate practice module, focusing on a specific procedure. This allows the learning to acquire skills more efficiently by building on high volume surgeries within the learner’s clinical setting. In turn, the scalable curriculum provides additional insight to the credentialing board of an academic hospital when granting robotic privileges. To accomplish this goal, the research suggests a multi-phase iterative mixed-method design for validating a robotic surgery curriculum utilizing a proficiency-based progression of surgical skill training.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: A mixed-method approach is fundamental due to the available data points. A mixed-method study will provide both quantitative data points of reduction of operating room times, skill set acquirement, proficiency to mastery skill set advancement, while also obtaining expert observational data and learning cognitive load analysis. To obtain triangulation and ascertain validity, the study will employ three validated assessment tools, ranging from aerospace to medicine specific. Simulator data will provide quantitative data and cognitive load assessments will provide learner qualitative data points.
Conclusion & Significance: The evolution of a novel robotic surgical platform has been met with challenges regarding user proficiency, patient safety and emerging trends. Only by systematic reassessment of instructional methodologies, will robotics flourish for additional decades to come. Hospital systems, surgical residency programs and patients are now inquiring about surgical proficiency in robotics.
Recent Publications
1. Lee Jason Y, et al., (2011) Best practices for robotic surgery training and credentialing. The Journal of Urology 185(4):1191-1197.
2. Pacheco P, Huettner F, Doubet J L, Ryan M J, Dynda D I and Crawford D L (2011) 102 Consecutive Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Colectomies – An Outcome and Technical Update. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 15:1195-1204.
3. Tsoraides S S, Huettner F, Rawlings A L and Crawford D L (2010) Robotic Surgery of the Colon: The Peoria Experience. In Seung Hyuk Baik ed. Robotic Surgery. Vukovar, Croatia: Intech, 2010. 4. Rawlings A L, Crawford D L (…) Telerobotic Surgery for Right & Sigmoid Colectomy. In: Vanja Bozovic ed. Medical Robotics.Vienna: Intech.
David L Crawford has completed his undergraduate degree from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. He has received his Doctorate in Medicine at the University Of Louisville School Of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky; a Surgical Internship and General Surgery Residency at the Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, Pennsylvania; a Minimal Invasive Surgery Fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. He is a Board Certified in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery. He is an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery and Chief Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery. He is Co-Creator and Co-Director of the Basic Laparoscopic Skills Course, the Advanced Laparoscopic Skills Course and the Intro to Robotic Surgical Skills Course for the General Surgery Residency. He is the 2008 recipient of the UICOMP ‘Outstanding Teaching Award’ and the 2006 Resident elected UICOMP Department of Surgery ‘Faculty Teaching Award’. Since 2001 to present, he is on the Board of Directors, WD Boyce Council and Boy Scouts of America.
E-mail: dcrawford@peoriasurgical.com
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