Credentialing and Patient Safety in Robotic Gynecologic Surgery: Changes over the Last Eight Years

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Robotic gynecologic surgery has outpaced data showing risks and benefits related to cost, quality outcomes, and patient safety. We aimed to assess how credentialing standards and perceptions of safe use of robotic gynecologic surgery have changed over time. METHODS: An anonymous, online survey was distributed in 2013 and in 2021 to attending surgeons and trainees in accredited obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. RESULTS: There were 367 respondents; 265 in 2013 and 102 in 2021. There was a significant increase in robotic platform use from 2013 to 2021. Percentage of respondents who ever having performed a robotic case increased from 48% to 79% and those who performed > 50 cases increased from 25% to 59%. In 2021, a greater percentage of attending physicians reported having formalized protocol for obtaining robotic credentials (93% vs 70%, p = 0.03) and maintaining credentialing (90% vs 27%, p < 0.01). At both time points, most attendings reported requiring proctoring for 1 – 5 cases before independent use. Opinions on the number of cases needed for surgical independence changed from 2013 to 2021. There was an increase in respondents who believed > 20 cases were required (from 58% to 93% of trainees and 29% to 70% of attendings). In 2021, trainees were less likely to report their attendings lacked the skills to safely perform robotic surgery (25% to 6%, p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Greater experience with robotic platforms and expansion of credentialing processes over time correlated with improved confidence in surgeon skills. Further work is needed to evaluate if current credentialing procedures are sufficient.