ACTIVE ROBO CONSOLE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ACTIVE ROBO CONSOLE: ACTIVE control time and intraoperative ROBOtic CONSOLE teaching for surgical trainees
IRAS ID
352651
Contact name
Anna Kieslich
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of the study. Please provide a brief summary of the research (maximum 300 words) using language
easily understood by lay reviewers and members of the public. Where the research is reviewed by a REC within the UK
Health Departments’ Research Ethics Service, this summary will be published on the Health Research Authority (HRA)
website following the ethical review. Please refer to the question specific guidance for this question.
Robotic surgery was introduced in 2000, with an exponential growth in uptake since then. Previous research has
shown that the way surgeons learn to operate using the robot can be improved. Less is known about how surgeons
improve and develop their skills in the live operating theatre. This research aims to understand robotic surgical training in more detail to inform future
developments in robotic training. The research project involves surgeons in Scottish health boards who undertake robotic
surgery in Scotland and will last 12 months.
The study has three different sections utilising different methods to collect the data
1) The project involves collecting Active Control Time (ACT) data from the surgical robot. ACT specifies which surgeon
is operating, when, and who is performing which tasks during an operation where more than one surgeon (consultant and surgical trainee) is
involved. The surgical robot collects this data automatically, it can be matched to a specific surgeon when the surgeon
has logged onto the robotic console. For the study ACT will be extracted at specific time points (4 months and 12
months). Surgeons will also be asked to fill out a questionnaire.
2)Additionally, the project involves using ethnographic methods. The researcher, (who is a surgeon) will be observing
what happens in a robotic theatre and any interactions between the team. The researcher will be taking notes, pictures and audio
recordings to record the events and which will aid subsequent analysis. The theatre team may also be asked for their opinions
regarding robotic assisted surgery (RAS), any specific situations that arise in theatre related to RAS, as well as about their training and experiences
in robotic theatres.
3) To gain more qualitative data and clarify theories gained from the first two parts of the study semi-structured
interviews of surgeons and other stakeholders in the teaching of robotic surgery will take place at a date suitable to
themselves. The questions will relate to the teaching and training of surgeons in robotic surgery.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/0345
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion