The SAGES Robotic Fellows Course has transitioned to a combination of virtual webinars and hands-on training conducted at the Intuitive Surgical training lab in Norcross, GA and at the SAGES 2021 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, NV, as permitted by federal, state, local, institutional, and facility orders/policies pertaining to health safety as related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety of our attendees, faculty and laboratory personnel is our top priority. This course pathway will retain the educational component of past courses while also allowing for alternative virtual options if necessary.
The course pathway will be broken up into the following components:
100 Level Virtual Didactic Webinar
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 AT 5:00PM Eastern – Chair: Dmitry Oleynikov, MD
Thursday, February 25, 2021 AT 8:00PM Eastern – Chair: Ankit Patel, MD
A combination of on-demand, live lectures, and Q&A, including future of robotics technology, application of robotic surgery in a wide range of general surgery procedures (biliary/bariatric surgery, inguinal/ventral/hiatal hernia repair), and safe and practical application of robotics in general surgery cases. Eligible applicants will be selected to attend and given access to pre-recorded lectures to review before one of two live webinars, where the faculty will be available to discuss and highlight key points in robotic surgery and answer questions. The webinars will accommodate up to 50 online participants each. A limited number of interested participants from Level 100 will be selected to attend the Level 200 courses. Interest in the Level 200 courses is not required to attend the webinars.
200 Level Hands-On Robotic Skills Course
April 6, 7, 28 or 29, 2021 – Intuitive Surgical Norcross, GA training lab
One-day hands-on course hosted at the Intuitive Surgical Norcross, GA training lab to feature technical, procedural, and surgical skills required to successfully complete bariatric and hernia procedures on a da Vinci Xi system. A total of four (4) one-day courses will be held to accommodate 10 fellows per day for a total of 40 fellows. A limited number of interested participants from Level 100 will be selected for this course.
In the event we are not able to convene in person, a remotely-mentored simulation skills lab has been planned as an alternative option.
September 3, 2021 – SAGES 2021 in Las Vegas, NV
One-day hands-on course hosted at SAGES 2021 in Las Vegas, NV for fellows paired with one attending from your institution who performs limited robotic cases. Learners will work in pairs at each station taking turns as console/bedside surgeon to gain a robust understanding of the technical, procedural, and surgical skills required to successfully complete bariatric and hernia procedures on a da Vinci Xi system. Fellows will be paired with attendings who do not regularly perform robotic surgery to provide an environment in which attendings can acquire the foundational knowledge necessary to teach robotic surgery to their residents. 10 fellows with 10 attendings will be accommodated. A limited number of interested participants from Level 100 will be selected for this course.
While we anticipate a successful in person meeting, an alternative virtual option will be planned.
Goals: The purpose of the Course Pathway is to provide an environment in which SAGES faculty and experts can provide remote mentorship to address the short-term needs of the pandemic environment and plan for future in-person training opportunities that leverage virtual mentorship. A broad range of robotic procedures will be covered with the emphasis placed on current and future robotics technology, application of robotic surgery in a wide range of general surgery procedures, and safe and practical application of robotics in general surgery cases. At the end of the pathway, MIS fellows will have a robust understanding of the technical, procedural, and surgical skills required to successfully complete procedures on a da Vinci Xi System. Additionally, attendings paired with their fellows can acquire the foundational knowledge necessary to teach robotic surgery to their residents.
Fellow Requirements for Level 100 Webinars:
- All current/incoming MIS fellows may apply, though this course does not support GYN or Thoracic
- Priority is given to current and pending SAGES members
Fellow Requirements for Level 200 Courses:
- Fellowships must contain robotic surgical systems and general faculty with robotic privileges
- Hospital Program should be performing at least 170 general surgery robotic cases within the last year, with one or more mentor faculty performing 35 general surgery cases within the last year (Intuitive provided case logs)
- Fellow should complete 5 robotic cases prior to hands-on/in-person training courses
- Fellow should commit to completing a total of 20 console cases and 10 bedside cases prior to the completion of the 2020-2021 academic year
- Fellow should have completed the FRS Robotic Surgical Curriculum (Modules 1, 2, and 4), or a da Vinci Technology Skills Drill with a hands-on kit or with a da Vinci simulator system using the following activities:
Level 100 Webinar Application Deadline: Concluded
Level 200 Course Application: The deadline to submit the below application for the Level 200 courses is Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 8:00 AM PT/11:00 AM ET
Review Process: Applications will be reviewed for eligibility by SAGES
Fees: The SAGES Robotics Fellows Course Pathway is free of charge for all selected applicants. SAGES gratefully acknowledges Intuitive Surgical for their generous educational grant in support of the Robotics Fellows Course Pathway. All fellow travel, lodging accommodations, meals, and ground transportation to the lab are covered by the grant.