Background: Current approaches to assessing workload in robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) focus on surgeons and lack real-world data. Understanding how workload varies by role and specialty aids in identifying effective ways to optimize workload.
Methods: SURG-TLX surveys with six domains of workload were administered to surgical staff at three sites. Staff reported workload perceptions for each domain on a 20-point Likert scale, and aggregate scores were determined per participant.
Results: 188 questionnaires were obtained across 90 RAS procedures. Significantly higher aggregate scores were reported for gynecology (Mdn = 30.00) (p = 0.034) and urology (Mdn = 36.50) (p = 0.006) than for general (Mdn = 25.00). Surgeons reported significantly higher scores for task complexity (Mdn = 8.00) than both technicians (Mdn = 5.00) (p = 0.007), and nurses (Mdn = 5.00).
Conclusions: Staff reported significantly higher workload during urology and gynecology procedures, and experienced significant differences in domain workload by role and specialty, elucidating the need for tailored workload interventions.
Keywords: Cognitive ergonomics; NASA-TLX; Robotic-assisted surgery; Workload.
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