Background: Currently, only a limited number of remote assistance modalities are utilized in the basic phase of robotic surgery training to facilitate the rapid acquisition of robotic surgery skills by surgeons. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of real-time remote surgical robotic skill training based on a multi-channel video recording and playback system.
Methods: We randomly divided 40 medical students without prior expertise in the use of surgical robots into two groups to assess the performance of trainees on a robotic simulator (Mimic dV-Trainer). The remote group received remote training, while the control group received live one-on-one guidance. We compared the learning curves of the two groups based on simulator scores. Furthermore, the NASA task load index (NASA-TLX) scale was used to measure the fatigue load of the trainers.
Results: We observed no significant differences in the demographics or initial baseline skill levels between the two groups. Participants in the remote group achieved higher total scores in the Match Board 2 and Thread the Rings 1 exercises compared to the control group. In addition, trainers in the remote group reported lower subjective fatigue load than in the control group.
Conclusions: The remote approach to surgical robotics skills training based on the Remote Teaching System for Robotic Surgery (ReTeRoS) is both feasible and has the potential for large-scale training.
Keywords: Learning curve; Match board 2 exercise; NASA task load index scale; Remote training; Robotic surgery; dVT simulator.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.