The importance of non-technical skills in robot-assisted surgery in gynaecology

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in gynaecology has undergone exponential growth in recent decades, with utility in treating both benign and malignant gynaecological conditions. The technological complexities and amended theatre dynamics that RAS demands mean that effective non-technical skills (NTS) are vitally important to overcome these unique challenges. However, NTS have been neglected in RAS-training programmes with focus placed instead on the exclusive acquisition of technical skills (TS). NTS include teamwork, communication, leadership, situational awareness, decision-making and stress management. Communication is the most frequently cited NTS impacted during RAS, as the physical limitations imposed by the robotic hardware make communication exchange difficult. The full immersion that RAS enables can contribute to situational awareness deficits. However, RAS can complement communication and teamwork when multidisciplinary (MDT) surgeries (such as complex endometriosis excisions) are undertaken; dual-console capabilities facilitate the involvement of specialties such as general surgery and urology. The development of NTS in RAS cannot be achieved with in-situ experience alone, and current training is poorly standardised. RAS-training programmes and curricula for gynaecology do exist, however the integration of NTS remain limited. Simulation is a viable tool to facilitate enhanced-NTS integration, yet cost implications form a barrier to its wider implementation. However, given that RAS will continue to occupy a greater proportion of the gynaecological caseload, integration of NTS within gynaecological RAS training curricula is necessary. Patients undergoing gynaecological RAS would benefit from the improved safety standards and enhanced surgical outcomes that would result. Similar content being viewed by others Data availability No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Author information Authors and Affiliations Contributions TCW contributed to the concept, structure, design, writing, revision and oversight of the manuscript’s preparation. RR contributed to the structure, design, writing, revision and oversight of the manuscript’s preparation. TB contributed to the concept, structure, design, writing, revision and senior oversight of the manuscript’s preparation. JA contributed to the concept, structure, design, writing, revision and senior oversight of the manuscript’s preparation. AR contributed to the concept, structure, design, writing, revision and senior oversight of the manuscript’s preparation. Corresponding author Ethics declarations Conflicts of interest None of the authors have any financial interest in any product or procedures mentioned in this manuscript.JA declares receiving consulting fees and educational support from Intuitive Surgical and CMR Surgical. TCW, RR, TB and AR have no conflicts of interest to declare. 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