Thoracic Robotics Surgery Virtual VPP – Enabled by Proximie

The Thoracic Robotic Surgery virtual observership programme, enabled by Proximie, is a six week course, during which observers can engage in interactive learning experiences and gain a deep understanding of different surgical procedures remotely. You will be able to attend live surgeries virtually, interact with our expert surgical team and have access to an extensive video library of on demand content.

Programme Overview

The Thoracic Robotic Surgery virtual observership programme is a six week course, during which observers can engage in interactive learning experiences and gain a deep understanding of different surgical procedures remotely. You will be able to attend live surgeries virtually, interact with our expert surgical team and have access to an extensive video library of on demand content.

The programme utilises Proximie, the cloud-based platform that captures operating room data enabling clinicians to collaborate on any procedure from anywhere and record video content to share information and expertise.

Format

The observership will be delivered through a mix of live and on demand surgical content, with the opportunity to speak to and ask questions to our expert surgical team live. Additionally online, interactive learning modules will increase observer knowledge in best practice for robotic surgery.

Dates

Next cohort: 15th January – 23rd February 2024

Programme Objectives

The programme is designed for individuals who are looking to extend their clinical expertise in Thoracic robotics surgery. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experienced clinicians and gain practical skills and knowledge:

Agenda

Please note this is an indicative programme and session timings will be published 1-2 weeks prior to the course (live case schedule will be released as soon as it is available week by week).

All live surgical procedures are subject to cancellation, rescheduling and no guarantee can be given for type of procedure – this is an indicative programme only.

Online learning:

  • GSTT Robotics programme – size and scale
  • Training and development of our staff
  • Pre-operative assessment of patient
  • Patient selection
  • Setting up
  • Docking of the robot
  • Role of the Robotics Anaesthetist

Live session/s:

  • Course welcome
    • Overview of programme
    • Introduction of procedures
  • Live cases performed by GSTT surgeons

Library of procedures:

  • Lower lobectomy
  • Thymectomy

Online learning:

  • 6-10 cases performed by GSTT surgeons (can be watched live or viewed on demand)

Live session/s:

  • 2 x live cases with opportunity to interact with Surgeon:
    • Pulmonary lobectomy
    • Segmentectomy
  • Post-operative review of patient and opportunity for Q&A with Robotic Anaesthetist

Library of procedures:

  • Right and left upper lobectomy

Online learning:

  • 6-10 cases performed by GSTT surgeons (can be watched live or viewed on demand)

Live session/s:

  • 2 x live cases with opportunity to interact with Surgeon:
    • Pulmonary lobectomy
    • Segmentectomy
  • Post-operative review of patient and opportunity for Q&A with Robotic Scrub nurse

Library of procedures:

  • Segmentectomy

Online learning:

  • Operational tips and tricks:
    • Troubleshooting clashing of arms
    • How to emergency un-doc
  • 6-10 cases performed by GSTT surgeons (can be watched live or viewed on demand)

Live session/s:

  • 2 x live cases with opportunity to interact with Surgeon, to include at least one:
    • Bronchial sleeve
    • Thymectomy
  • Post-operative review of patient and opportunity for Q&A with First Assistant

Library of procedures:

  • Segmentectomy

Online learning:

  • 6-10 cases performed by GSTT surgeons (can be watched live or viewed on demand)

Live session/s:

  • 2 x live cases with opportunity to interact with Surgeon, to include at least one:
    • Bronchial sleeve
    • Thymectomy
  • Post-operative review of patient and opportunity for Q&A with MDT (2 x surgeon + scrub nurse + first assistant)

Library of procedures:

  • Bronchial sleeve
  • Complex cases

Online learning:

  • 6-10 cases performed by GSTT surgeons (can be watched live or viewed on demand)

Live session/s:

  • Complex case discussion (cases submitted by observers)
  • Consolidation of learning and Q&A
  • Course summary/wrap up

Library of procedures:

  • Bronchial sleeve
  • Complex cases
Download a PDF version of the agenda here (187kB pdf)

Who can apply

Join our programme if you are a senior thoracic consultant, a trainee, a fellow, a theatre nurse or a healthcare professional who is currently working or have an interest in robotic surgery.

This programme is intended for non-UK healthcare professionals looking for exposure to robotic surgery in an advanced training centre (virtually).

Fees

The cost for this programme is £600 per week plus a £350 admin fee.

Please note successful applicants will be asked to register and pay through Eventbrite. The processing fee on Eventbrite is £213.30 and this is not included in the above fees.

Start your application here

Robotic Surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has pioneered the use of robotic technology in the UK. We are now an advanced training centre, internationally renowned for our robotic-assisted surgery and are the largest volume centre in Europe for thoracic robotic surgery. Robotic surgery combines the benefits of standard laparoscopic surgery with features of traditional open surgery, including increased dexterity, removal of tremor, superior range of movements, miniaturisation of instruments, and enhanced 3D HD vision. Guy’s and St Thomas’ already carries out the most robotic operations in the UK with around 1,600 cases a year.

Patients with lung cancer are now being treated with the help of robots at Guy’s Hospital. Thoracic surgeons at the hospital use Guy’s and St Thomas’ da Vinci surgical robots. The experts believe that when compared to conventional keyhole surgery, procedures using a robot will lead to less pain and a faster recovery for patients, while allowing more precision during the operation.

Mr Tom Routledge, consultant thoracic surgeon, said: “Robotic surgery allows surgeons a larger degree of movement during an operation than conventional keyhole surgery because the robot’s arms have elbows and wrists, whereas traditional keyhole surgery is like operating with chopsticks”.

“Due to the extra precision the robots give us, we are able to carry out more complex procedures and patients should experience less pain, are able to go home sooner and make a faster recovery. Robotic lung surgery is mainly used to remove cancerous or benign tumours”.

“At Guy’s and St Thomas’ we have one of the UK’s largest minimally-invasive lung cancer surgery teams which will be extended further by performing robotic surgery.”

About Proximie

Proximie is a cloud-based platform that enables hospitals, surgeons, and medical device companies to capture operating room data, share information from anywhere, and generate new insights so they can improve outcomes and productivity.

Since its launch in 2016, Proximie has been used in tens of thousands of surgical interactions in over 500 locations, across 50 countries.

Proximie brings together Telepresence, Content Management and Data Insights to enable healthcare professionals to share information and expertise.

You are able to observe procedures, learn techniques, and exchange feedback from anywhere and any device before, during, and after surgery. As a result, surgeons always have the insights and know-how to stay at the top of their games.

Every Proximie procedure can be recorded, saved into the Proximie library and shared securely with peers or trainees.