Login to Access Video or Poster Abstract: MP51-14
Sources of Funding: none

Introduction

Defining competence in procedural training may prove difficult. Historically, this has been via direct supervision by senior surgeons. There has been a push for the development and use of validated curricula. We assess robotics curricula (RC) and surgical simulation (SS) in U.S. urology residency programs (URPs).

Methods

Of all URPs, 129 were contacted. Program directors (PDs) were queried on use of a formal or validated RC, use of virtual reality (VR), graduation requirements, availability of a SS laboratory, and chief resident comfort level with robotic surgery.

Results

Response rate was 26.3 %. Of PDs, 17 (50%) reported a formalized RC but 82.3% did not utilize validated RC. Physical consoles exist in 73.5% and VR trainers exist in 50% of programs. Simulation laboratories were reported in 85.2% of programs. Completion of a RC was required for graduation in 38.2% while it was suggested in 50% of programs. Six programs (17.6%) are undergoing curriculum development/validation. Figure 3 outlines PD perceptions of chief resident operative comfort.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the majority (82.3%) of URPs do not employ validated RC. However, half of PDs report using VR modules, physical consoles, and online courses. By graduation, 91.1% of PDs reported that graduating chief residents are comfortable with robotic surgery.

Funding

none