The impact of robotic surgery on teamwork (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A realist process evaluation of robotic surgery: integration into routine practice and impacts on communication, collaboration and decision making
IRAS ID
128209
Contact name
Rebecca Randell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Research summary
In robotic surgery, a robot helps the surgeon carry out a laparoscopic operation (sometimes called ‘keyhole surgery’). An increasing number of NHS Trusts are purchasing such robots but at the same time there are reports that the technology is not being used as much as it could be, so that it is not providing the anticipated benefits for patients. At the moment we do not know what is needed for robotic surgery to be successfully introduced into the NHS so that it is used routinely for surgical operations where it offers benefits to the patient over other surgical techniques. Robotic surgery has the potential to negatively impact teamwork in the operating theatre, because the surgeon is physically separated from the patient and the rest of the team. Effective teamwork in the operating theatre is important for safe patient care but we currently do not know the impact of robotic surgery on teamwork. Therefore, this study has two main aims: \n- To develop guidance for NHS Trusts on how to facilitate successful implementation and integration of robotic surgery; and\n- To develop guidance for operating theatre teams on how to ensure effective teamwork when undertaking robotic surgery. \nWe will undertake a multi-site case study across four NHS hospital Trusts to understand the processes through which robotic surgery is introduced into the NHS and how it impacts teamwork in the operating theatre. Observation using the structured observation tool OTAS (Observational Teamwork Assessment for Surgery) and video recordings of keyhole operations (both robotic and not) will be combined with interviews with operating theatre staff. The study will involve patients for whom a keyhole operation has been recommended by their surgeon, regardless of whether or not the surgeon will use a robot. The study involves no interventions to the patient’s care.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/YH/0153
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jun 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion