The Surge of Surgical Robotics: Why Patient Education Matters More Than Ever
Emily McCabe, 2024-25 RPW Center Graduate Student Fellow. This year’s group is exploring the theme of Emerging Technologies in Human Context: Past, Present, and Future.
If you’ve ever wondered about the role of robots in surgery, you’re not alone. “Will you be in the room while the robot performs my surgery?” is an all-too-common question. For those of us working in the field of minimally invasive and robotic surgery, this reflects a larger issue: a significant gap in public understanding.
While surgery has evolved dramatically over millennia, the most exciting advancements have come in just the past two decades. In 2020 alone, there were 1.24 million robotic surgeries, with that number growing by 15% each year [1]. As this technology becomes more prevalent, it’s crucial for patients to be well-informed to make educated decisions
about their care.
However, there’s a significant disconnect. A 2020 study revealed that 88% of people mistakenly believe that robotic surgeries are autonomous [2]. A more recent 2022 study found that public knowledge of robotic surgery is at a mere 4 out of 10 [3]. This confusion is a global issue and seems to be more pronounced among individuals with lower education levels. When facing a stressful diagnosis like cancer, patients often experience “attention narrowing,” focusing intensely on one aspect of their diagnosis while struggling to absorb additional information. Furthermore, “state-dependent memory” means that information learned in one state of mind may be hard to recall later.
To combat these challenges, strategies like note-taking, recording medical visits, and involving support persons can help, but they place a significant burden on the patient. We’ve seen that visual aids during medical appointments can improve comprehension, especially for those with lower literacy levels. Sharing educational materials digitally has
also shown promise.
As a Graduate Theme Fellow, I am excited to explore these issues with a fresh and diverse perspective. We’ve conducted early-stage interviews with cancer patients who underwent robotic surgery and explored their experiences with patient-provider communication and education. These interviews revealed not only the current hurdles in understanding surgical robotics but also offered valuable insights for improving patient education methods.
We found that while existing educational tools have their merits, there’s room for enhancement. For instance, integrating visual aids more effectively and leveraging digital resources could bridge some of the gaps in knowledge. Our goal is to shine a light on these issues and advocate for better communication strategies that empower patients with the information they need to feel confident and informed.
In summary, as robotic surgery continues to advance, so must our approach to patient education. By addressing misconceptions and improving how we share information, we can ensure that patients are not just passive recipients of care but active participants in their health journey.
[1] A. Mehta, J. Cheng Ng, W. Andrew Awuah, H. Huang, J. Kalmanovich, A. Agrawal, T. Abdul-Rahman, M. M. Hasan, V. Sikora, and A. Isik, “Embracing robotic surgery in low- and middle-income countries: Potential benefits, challenges, and scope in the future,” Annals of Medicine and Surgery, vol. 84, 12 2022.
[2] B. Stai, N. Heller, S. Mcsweeney, J. Rickman, P. Blake, R. Vasdev, Z. Edgerton, R. Tejpaul, M. Peterson, J. Rosenberg, A. Kalapara, S. Regmi, N. Papanikolopoulos, and C. Weight, “Public Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in Medicine.” 2020
[3] S. Arshad, G. Brar, S. Xu, N. Ramesh, K. Talajia, M. Anwar, and A. Ter Wal, “222 Robotic Surgery: Public Perceptions and Current Misconceptions.” 2022
[4] R. F. Algethami, M. F. Alotbi, A. I. Alsulaimani, L. M. Alkhaldi, Z. A. Alhossaini, and K. M. Alzahrani, “Assessment of knowledge and awareness regarding Robotics-Assisted Surgery (RAS) among Saudi population: A cross sectional study,” 2023.
Emily McCabe is in her fourth year of her PhD in the Medical Engineering & Discovery Laboratory. Her research on minimally invasive surgical robots leverages variable stiffness and steerable needle technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. Outside of the lab, Emily’s work seeks to improve patient education, develop professional skills in engineers, and engage more girls in STEM through K-12 outreach. Towards this year’s theme, Emily is exploring how to improve the public understanding of surgical robots.