RCSI National Robotic Surgery Training Curriculum
€320
The RCSI Robotic Surgery Curriculum is designed as a non-specialty-specific, opt-in training pathway that provides a structured introduction to robotic assisted surgery.
CPD
1 day
In person - Part-time
TBC
21 September 2026
About
Be part of the next generation of robotic surgeons and join Ireland’s first nationally coordinated robotic surgery training pathway.
Developed by the RCSI National Leads Committee on Robotic Surgery, this structured programme provides a progressive pathway in robotic surgery training, combining online learning, simulation, hands-on skills development, and formal assessment.
It aims to build a core set of transferable robotic skills, applicable across platforms and specialties, while remaining flexible enough to suit the needs of surgeons at various stages of their careers. The certificate offers a clear, accessible route for doctors who wish to pursue it, including those in specialties where robotics is increasingly relevant.
Location: RCSI, 26 York Street, Dublin 2.
Successful completion of Module 1 will provide participants with the foundation required to progress to subsequent technical skills modules.
Suitable for
The Robotic Surgical Curriculum course is suitable for surgical doctors in a formal surgical training programme in Ireland and internationally, non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) in surgery, and surgical consultants.
Register your interest
For queries, please email roboticsurgery@rcsi.ie.
Course information
The curriculum follows a structured, modular pathway that enables trainees to progressively develop the knowledge, technical skills, and non-technical skills required for robotic surgery. It combines online learning, virtual reality simulation, hands-on practical training, human factors education, independent simulator practice, and competency-based assessment across three sequential modules.
The curriculum comprises the following core components:
- Online learning: Completion of the online foundations programme, providing the theoretical principles of robotic surgery, patient safety, instrumentation, technology, and operating room workflow.
- Virtual reality (VR) simulation: Completion of a structured programme of simulator exercises to develop core robotic skills and achieve the foundational competencies required for progression through the curriculum.
- Robotic bedside assistant training: Practical training in patient positioning, robotic system setup, docking, instrument exchange, troubleshooting, and safe operating room workflow.
- Basic console skills training: Hands-on training using hydrogel and synthetic simulation models to develop core console skills, including camera control, clutching, instrument handling, dissection, energy application, and suturing.
- Human factors and emergency training: Focused training in communication, situational awareness, teamwork, emergency undocking, and crisis management within the robotic operating environment.
- Independent simulator practice: Completion of a prescribed number of independent simulator hours between modules to consolidate technical skills and demonstrate ongoing progression.
- Competency-based assessment: Structured assessment throughout the curriculum to ensure participants achieve the required standards before progressing to subsequent modules and successful completion of the certificate.
Module 1 – Foundations of Robotic Surgery
The first module focuses on the core principles required for safe robotic surgical practice and includes:
- Robotic surgery fundamentals and operating room setup
- Instrumentation and platform awareness
- Patient safety and human factors
- Bedside assisting skills
- Robotic operating theatre workflow
- Emergency management and troubleshooting
Dedicated robotic training facilities
Training will be delivered within RCSI’s newly refurbished robotic surgery training facilities, designed specifically to support robotic surgical education.
Participants will have access to:
- Dedicated robotic surgery simulation workstations
- Structured simulator-based skills training
- A bespoke robotic surgery logbook developed by RCSI
- Opportunities to accumulate simulator training hours and document progression toward competency benchmarks
- Structured pre-course online learning developed by RCSI faculty
- Hands-on practical training and assessment
Future modules
Further modules covering advanced technical skills, simulation, tissue models, and specialty-specific robotic surgery training will be introduced in a phased rollout following completion of the Foundation Module.
Course days available:
- Monday, 21st September
- Monday, 5th October
- Monday, 12th October
- Monday, 19th October
- Monday, 2nd November
- Monday, 9th November
- Tuesday, 10th November
- Monday, 16th November
- Monday, 23rd November
- Tuesday, 24th November
- Monday, 30th November
- Monday, 7th December
- Tuesday, 8th December
- Monday, 14th December
- Tuesday, 15th December.
Admissions
This course is suitable for:
- Surgical doctors in a formal surgical training programme In Ireland and internationally
- Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) in surgery
- Surgical consultants.
Each Module 1 training day will cost €320.
NCHDs enrolled in our RCSI CPD Support Scheme will be eligible to use their CPDSS funding to fund this programme. Surgical trainees will also be able to use their TSS funding to fund a Module 1 training day.
How to apply
Please note: robotic surgery simulation days (six doctors per session) will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Simulation workshops from 21 September to 15 December are now available to book.
For any queries, please email roboticsurgery@rcsi.ie.