Advanced Robotic Technical Skills Wetlab Course (ARTS course)

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES: There are various advancements and new technologies in thoracic surgery to improve our care for the patients, including robotics and advanced imaging. Our centre is at a unique situation where a few of these new treatments are piloted and performed on a daily basis. Our DaVinci Xi robot is the first in the country that is dedicated only to the cardiothoracic department; the world’s first navigational bronchoscopy CT ablation was performed at Barts; we have a popular fellowship programme which is available to surgeons internationally. We are able to provide a first of its kind course which targets on the future of thoracic surgery and make wetlab training on DaVinci Xi, VATS and bronchoscopy accessible to our delegates and associated practitioners. We aim to have a trainer:trainee ratio of 1:2. Each delegate will be allocated one hour on each station (including robotic simulation) and therefore will receive detailed and real time feedback on techniques and procedural sk ills. By setting up this course we wish to 1. Introduce latest treatments and advanced imaging techniques in thoracic surgery to junior trainees 2. Provide hands on wetlab experience and simulations including DaVinci Xi, bronchoscopy and VATS simulator in a low trainer:trainee ratio 3. Provide insights on the direction of thoracic surgery and minimally invasive surgery On completion of this course, delegates will be able to 1. Demonstrate the concepts and principles of minimally invasive thoracic operations 2. Identity key components of DaVinci robots in thoracic theatre 3. Demonstrate technical competence at DaVinci simulations and simulated laparoscopic/ bronchoscopic skills 4. Initiate management of acute life threatening thoracic emergencies in a timely manner