The Shelford Surgical Training in Advanced Robotic Technology (START) programme provides the opportunity for surgical trainees to develop their skills, knowledge and expertise in robotic assisted surgery, across multiple platforms, at an earlier stage in their career.
It is now available in the North East, North West, South East and East of England.
Holly Carpenter, a North West surgical trainee, talks about her experience of the START programme last year.
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Learning across platforms
Taking part in the START programme has given me the opportunity to train across different robotic surgical systems – and one of the things that has surprised me most is just how transferable the skills can be.
Before starting the training, I hadn’t appreciated how much crossover there would be between different platforms. I’ve found that the things I learn on one system can actually make me better the next time I use another. For me, that’s been a really valuable part of the experience.
Learning the small things that make a difference
Some of the most useful skills and habits I’ve developed through START have been around the small steps you can take at the console to help keep patients safe.
When you’re being trained by a consultant in clinical practice, there is a huge amount to learn about the procedure and the surgery itself. Having training in a non clinical setting directly with the platform trainers gives you an additional level of understanding about the technology you’re using.
They can talk you through all the little things that are designed to make you more efficient when you’re operating, as well as the fail-safes built into the system.
Those details might seem small, but they’ve helped me understand not just how to use each platform, but how to use it as safely and effectively as possible.
Building confidence for clinical practice
That detailed training makes a real difference when you then move into clinical practice.
There’s a reassurance that comes from knowing the system properly – understanding its features, knowing the safest way to operate it and having had dedicated time to practise before using those skills in a clinical environment.
I’ve also really valued having a structured approach to learning. START gives you dedicated time to think, practise and ask questions, with trainers there to help you understand each platform in detail.
Why START is an opportunity worth taking
For trainees considering applying for START, I would 100% recommend it.
Robotic-assisted surgery is developing quickly and, as trainees, we’re likely to encounter different technologies throughout our careers. Having the opportunity to develop skills across different systems – and understanding how those skills can transfer from one platform to another – has been incredibly useful.
For me, START has been about much more than learning how to operate the technology. It’s about developing the knowledge, habits and confidence to use robotic technology safely in clinical practice – skills that I can continue to build on throughout my surgical career.