Depression, anxiety, and health related quality of life following radical prostatectomy and radiation treatment: 12 month outcomes in a South African cohort.

The rapid expansion of robotic surgery has reshaped the surgical landscape. Between 2012—2018, the proportion of robotic procedures increased eight-fold nationally, surpassing laparoscopic volumes in several procedures, despite variability in outcomes and absence of standardized training pathways [, ]. Although this reflects growing interest, adoption has outpaced the establishment of a globally accepted robotic curricula. As a result, concerns remain about operative readiness when surgeons adopt robotic platforms without validated educational frameworks [, ]. In response, simulation-based curricula have been developed to address gaps in robotic training. Virtual reality (VR), and inanimate drills provide a safe environment to develop technical proficiency without patient risk [, ]. At our institution, we validated and implemented a comprehensive training program comprising a 19-drill VR curriculum and three inanimate drills, followed by high-fidelity, procedure-specific bio-tissue drills, with increasing console autonomy as residents advance in their training [, , ]. This structured curriculum reflects a broader shift towards objective, proficiency-based progression over traditional time-based models [, ]. Beyond training, simulation performance may also predict intraoperative proficiency. In a recent study, residents with higher Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) scores during robotic side-to-side bowel anastomosis simulation were more likely to have shorter operative time and patients experienced fewer complications []. These findings underscore the value of simulation not only as an educational tool but also as a mechanism to enhance surgical performance and optimize patient outcomes.