A new collaboration between RCSI and the International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) will provide surgical trainees access to a new online course in the foundations of robotic surgery.

Recent advancements of robotic surgery have led to the increased need to prepare surgical trainees to meet the demands of technological enhanced surgery.
The Foundations of Robotic Surgery introductory course is the first robotics course RCSI and IMRA are collaborating on and provides the foundational theory and principles required to safely perform robotic surgical procedures.

This unique course includes a linear robotic surgical training curriculum using online education, virtual reality, 3D video, simulators and advanced synthetic organ models. Surgical trainees will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical working understanding of how-to setup a robot and console, the fundamentals of operating the robot, and how to achieve robotic surgical competence.

The course will also provide surgical trainees the opportunity to enhance their knowledge about the fundamental theory and principles of robotic surgery. RCSI’s collaboration with IMRA is a significant step forward in ensuring that surgical trainees are equipped with the most up-to-date skills.

Emerging technology

Professor Kevin Barry, Director of National Surgical Training Programme, RCSI Surgery, said: “This new partnership represents a very significant opportunity for our surgical trainees going forward, and will help to ensure that they are well prepared to cope with the surgical needs of our population in the years ahead.”

Mr Kieran Ryan, Managing Director, RCSI Surgery, said: “RCSI is very excited to collaborate with our colleagues in IMRA in developing this robotic assisted surgery training and education programme. The technological advances in surgical practice are accelerating and RCSI’s role is to respond by ensuring trainees are proficient and competent in the use of these new and emerging technologies.

“We have been working closely with our trainers in each specialty to understand the robotics and technological changes so that we map out the most appropriate training and educational pathways. Going forward, we will be building the training on robotic assisted surgery into the relevant parts of our training curricular and assessments of surgical training progression.”

World-leading training

Professor Tony Costello, Founder of IMRA, said: “I have had the great privilege to train a number of Irish urologists in the art of robotic surgery. I have always admired Irish surgery and in particular the talent in Irish Urology. My recent collaboration with RCSI has reinforced my belief that RCSI is the most nimble College in its ability to deal with the complexities of providing a modern surgical pedagogy. 

“As a proud Honorary Fellow of RCSI, it is wonderful now to be working in collaboration in the area of education and robotic assisted surgery. It gives me such pleasure to have teamed up with RCSI and to be launching the Foundation of RAS course developed at IMRA, which RCSI will deliver to Irish surgical trainees. This is such an important technological advancement and RCSI show great leadership in adding it to their surgical training programme. I really look forward to seeing this collaboration develop and to achieving great things together.”

Dr Helen Mohan, Director of Clinical Research of IMRA, said: “RCSI is a world leader in Surgical Training, Human Factors in Patient Safety and simulation. This exciting partnership with the International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) is a fantastic opportunity to future proof the surgical workforce to embrace robotic technology. As a graduate of the RCSI surgical training programme and in my current role in IMRA, it gives me particular joy to bring some of the innovative robotic training work from IMRA to benefit surgical trainees in Ireland. I'm looking forward to the growth and development of this partnership to deliver world leading robotic training."