The Foundations of Robotic Surgery Course, which is endorsed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), was developed by the International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA), a leading provider of medical robotic surgical skills training in the health sector.
This unique online course, developed by pioneering expert robotic surgeons across multiple surgical specialties, is part of a linear robotic surgical training curriculum, using online education, virtual reality, 3D video, simulators and advanced synthetic organ models. Participants will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of how-to setup a robot and console, the fundamentals of operating the robot, how to achieve robotic surgical competence and much more.
RACS President Dr Sally Langley said the College is committed to working with IMRA to ensure Fellows, Trainees, Specialist International Medical Graduates and prevocational doctors have access to the required training, assessment, feedback and support necessary to perform robotic surgical procedures competently and safely.
“This is an exciting step forward for surgical education and training and the beginning of a new future for how surgeons learn and perform surgery,” Dr Langley said.
“It’s great to be part of a medical robotics training that is led by the profession, and integrates virtual reality, simulation and synthetic training materials. We are committed to continue providing high quality education and training in the practice of surgery. This course will equip our surgeons to meet the needs of patients well into the future. Using new technology and incorporating robotics in surgical training is critical if we want our surgeons to lead the way.”
Founder of IMRA Professor Tony Costello, who introduced robotic surgery to Australia in 2003, has seen an exponential growth in procedures performed using robots over the last decade.
“The introduction of multiple new robotic systems will only increase the amount of surgery performed using a variety of robotic platforms,” Professor Costello said.
“Eventually almost all thoraco-abdominal and pelvic surgery will be performed using robots. While we can conduct our training in-person at our centre in the Parkville Biomedical Precinct in Melbourne, this course has been designed to be delivered online, so it is accessible to anyone, anywhere. The cross discipline 10 module course takes 15 hours to complete and will teach participants all the basics they need for robotic surgery.”
The Foundations of Robotic Surgery introductory course is the first robotics course IMRA and RACS are collaborating on and provides the foundational theory and principles required to safely perform robotic surgical procedures.
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Media enquiries:
Alexandra Kury / alexandra.kury@surgeons.org
Contact:
Spokespeople: Dr Sally Langley (President of RACS),
Adam Clark (CEO IMRA) and Professor Tony Costello (Founder IMRA)
RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia and New Zealand. The College is a not-for-profit organisation that represents more than 7000 surgeons and 1300 surgical trainees and International Medical Graduates. RACS also supports healthcare and surgical education in the Asia-Pacific region and is a substantial funder of surgical research. There are nine surgical specialties in Australasia being: Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology Head-and-Neck Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery. www.surgeons.org
The International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) is Australia’s leading organisation for the curriculum of robotic surgical training. Established in 2017 as a non-profit organisation, it is governed by a Board with a dedicated CEO.
IMRA has developed a unique robotic surgery education program with a linear pathway through a four-tiered curriculum of robotic surgical training. IMRA works closely with surgical colleges, hospitals and tertiary institutions to ensure their curriculum meets the respective accreditation requirements for each training body and the robot vendors. https://amraaus.org.au/about/