JUNE - 20199efficient with the procedure, and have low complication rates. Robotic surgery can be very cost-effective if it's done correctly.With the advent of new robots, we can see new challenges coming in. We've got to figure out how to use them most effectively. As multiple new robots will be released in the upcoming years, the challenge will be around us learning the latest technology and figuring out where it's effective and where it's not, and the whole training issue will surface again. What are the major tasks for organizational CIOs at this point? Is there any unmet need in terms of Robotics Surgery space that is yet to be leveraged from the vendors?The administration is one of the issues. They have to do a cost analysis on whether robotics is going to be effective at their hospital, if they have doctors that are trained or can be trained, or if we have enough volume to make robotic surgery effective to get overwhelming growth. So just buying robots will not help solve problems. We always recommend that if someone is going to buy robots, then they should have high-volume surgeons who can use it frequently and address the learning curve quickly, and start getting good outcomes. It's not just buying the technology, but it's also about having the right skilled surgeons and the right amount of patients to make a program successful. To get one robotic system, you have to set aside over$2 million. In addition, you will now and then have to buy some disposable instruments for each case. This can make the costs add up for each use. It's a balance -- the technology used in the procedure often increases the expense. But if the procedure is performed more efficiently and effectively, then this reduces the cost of a procedure. The correctly selected procedure performed effectively can result in reduced costs for robotics over open or laparoscopic surgery. What can organizations do to stay abreast of these challenges?Currently, there is only one major robotic manufacturer for abdominal robotic procedures. So the company, Intuitive Surgical, gets to set their cost. I believe there is good competition coming and those costs will come down. Robots and disposables will become cheaper, and with anticipation, the cost of care will come down as well. As competition occurs, the cost of having robotic systems in surgery will go down naturally over time.How do you see the evolution a few years from now in regards to the transformation that is happening?The robot is a computer, and that computer technology continues to evolve quickly. We'll see the technology continuing to get better; these robots will get smaller, faster, and more accurate. The next step is imaging; our goal is to be able to have good imaging in surgery to help guide the robot and give us more information. Another key step will be around artificial intelligence which is vital and has a close link to the advances in robotic surgery in having these robots give us suggestions and help during the surgery.What is your advice for budding technologists in the Robotics Surgery space? How do you see the evolution a few years from now with regards to disruptions and transformations within Robotics Surgery space?For companies developing Robots: We talk with a lot of companies that are developing robots, and we always advise them to ensure that they include the surgeon in their decision making because we have certain requirements for robot and they can guide us to meet those requirements. Our advice to them is around how to create a robot that's safe, effective, cheaper, and easier to use. That's our input as surgeons, as we are trying to help them build a better device that can be accessible to more people and countries, so the cost of care goes down and the patient outcomes improve.Advice to Surgeons:The key is having good training, continuing to learn and closely tracking your outcomes.To perform robotic surgery optimally you should perform procedures frequently so that the team learns the routine and the surgeon can improve skills. A surgeon should have a database that plots the outcomes of thepatients,so you can ascertain how your outcomes are progressing.So for surgeons, it's about ensuring that they track their outcomes and keep advancing, learning, and improving their technique. It's not just about buying the robotic technology, but it's also about having the right team and the most experienced and innovative surgeons to make a program successful
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