Course Description

Intensive Training Program in Robotic-Assisted Surgery — General Surgery

The Intensive Training Program in Robotic Assisted Surgery in General Surgery (ITP-RAS-GS) is in partnership with Dr Constantinos Mavrantonis at The NoDE Institute in Athens, Greece. The program is certified by The NoDE Institute — Network of Doctors’ Education, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to postgraduate surgical training. Participants who successfully complete the program receive dual certification from The NoDE Institute and ISLE Academy.

The NoDE Institute is responsible for the clinical, theoretical, and assessment components of the program, delivered at their facilities in Athens. Hands-on technical training on all available Intuitive platforms (daVinci Xi, daVinci X, daVinci Sp and daVinci 5) is delivered by certified trainers at ISLE Academy’s dedicated training facility in Athens or in Bucharest.

Program structure

· Phase 1 — Foundational Knowledge & Interactive Learning: Theoretical training and structured learning modules, delivered online by NoDE Institute faculty

· Phase 2 — da Vinci Technology Training: Individualized hands-on training covering simulation, robotic system familiarization, instrument handling, docking techniques, and practical exercises on the complete robotic platform. Throughout this phase, ISLE Academy trainers maintain a logbook tracking each participant’s progress, which contributes to their ISLE Academy certification.

· Phase 3 — Live Case Observation & Interactive Teaching: Participants observe live robotic colorectal procedures with real-time commentary, dual-console observation opportunities, and procedure-focused discussion

· Phase 4 — Final Assessment

Program details

ITP-RAS-GS is an intensive training program for physicians holding the specialty of General Surgery who are seeking to develop specialized skills in robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci system, and to integrate it into their clinical practice.

Eligibility: The program is open to licensed general surgeons with a colorectal focus.

Duration: Three to six months. Start dates are arranged individually — participants are invited to inquire directly for availability.

Scheduling: Technical training at ISLE Academy is delivered as private, one-to-one tuition in sessions of a minimum of three hours. Clinical observation is scheduled in coordination with the NoDE Institute subject to faculty and clinical site availability. Theoretical sessions are delivered online or on-site, before or after the clinical observation block. The program is Greek/English-speaking and is also open to international participants, who can complete the technical training component at either our Athens or Bucharest hub.

Certification: Participants receive dual certification from The NoDE Institute and ISLE Academy. Two logbooks are maintained throughout the program. The technical logbook is

provided by ISLE Academy, and the clinical logbook is provided by the NoDE Institute. Competencies, milestones, and performance outcomes are documented by the respective certified instructors, giving participants a clear record of their development. The logbooks are issued upon successful completion.

Disclosures

Our programs provide focused training on Intuitive’s da Vinci platforms, including its instruments and accessories. This training complements but does not replace the medical education and clinical experience required to perform surgical procedures safely and effectively. Physicians must complete adequate training and develop the necessary skills to ensure patient safety before using these technologies in procedures.

The program prepares participants for both the Surgeon Console and Bedside Assistant roles, equipping them with hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the technology. The training strictly focuses on the proper use, functionality, and handling of the da Vinci system, without covering clinical decision-making or procedural techniques.

Participants should always refer to Intuitive Learning to ensure they are using the latest training materials and that the training software matches the version installed on their system.