The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Expert Consensus Statements on a Framework for a Standardized National Robotic Curriculum for Thoracic Surgery Trainees.

Abstract

With robotic technology's rapid growth and integration, an urgent need to bridge the educational gap in thoracic surgical training has emerged. This document, a result of consensus among a group of experts in the practice and training of robotic surgery from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, aims to provide a framework for a standardized national robotic curriculum for thoracic surgery trainees. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Task Force on Robotic Thoracic Surgery and Workforce on E-learning and Educational Innovation assembled an expert group with the input of the Thoracic Surgery Director's Association. A focused literature review was performed, and expert consensus statements were developed using a modified Delphi process to address 3 major themes: (1) program expectations, (2) components of training, and (3) assessment and feedback. A consensus was reached on 12 recommendations. These consensus statements reflect updated insights on developing a standardized robotics curriculum based on the latest literature and current educational experience, focusing on program expectations and educational guidelines to develop an optimal training curriculum. The expert panel provides several key recommendations to provide a framework for developing a standardized national robotic thoracic curriculum, which would improve resident education and abridge any educational disparity that may exist among programs.