Improving robotic urology surgery training with AI feedback

Assessing, Optimizing, and Delivering Surgical Feedback with AI for Benign Urological Robotic Surgeries

NIH-funded research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11238878

This project will use AI-driven, video-based coaching to help surgeons learning benign robotic urology procedures gain skill faster and reduce early mistakes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11238878 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Surgeries will be recorded across five U.S. academic centers, collecting about 500 benign urologic robotic cases to capture trainer-trainee feedback in the live operating room. The team will analyze the recorded dialogue and video to identify which kinds of feedback most speed learning, and run randomized trials in a simulation lab to refine human-delivered coaching. They will also develop AI models that automatically detect when a trainee needs help and generate targeted video feedback for novices. The overall aim is to shorten the long learning curve for complex robotic urology techniques and lower risks for patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults undergoing benign robotic urologic procedures at participating hospitals are the typical candidates whose operations could be recorded for this work.

Not a fit: Patients having emergency care, non-robotic surgeries, or complex cancer operations are unlikely to be included or directly benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce complications and improve outcomes by helping surgeons become proficient more quickly through consistent, objective feedback.

How similar studies have performed: Simulation-based coaching has improved surgeon skill in prior studies, but automated AI-driven live video feedback in real operations is a newer and less-tested approach.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.