From runways to robots: A renaissance of the analogy

The increasing use of robotic surgery has seen a wave of technology ripple through global healthcare. Similar changes occurred in aviation several decades ago. New robot types have increased access for both patients and surgeons. The modern robotic curriculum therefore needs to train surgeons of varying experience, gaining access to several robot types, and based in centres around the world. Drawing on this analogy with aviation helps to derive principles for curriculum design, and considers human–machine interface, non-technical skills, team training, and simulation. The components of the curriculum could be core (cross-platform), platform-specific, specialty-specific, and platform-transitional. Analogous concepts also emerge, including type rating, control as surgery-by-wire, spatio-haptic envelope, and virtual operations. The fourth industrial revolution sets anticipation for progress.