The University of Vigo and Ribera Povisa Hospital are developing a proposal for university micro-credentials specialising in robotic surgery, which is expected to be launched in 2027. This initiative, driven by the Ribera-Povisa Chair in Innovation and Health, aims to adapt healthcare professionals' training to the technological advancements transforming operating rooms and to provide new specialisation opportunities.
The announcement was made by Rafael Comesaña, the university's Vice-Rector for Transfer, Innovation, and Social Impact, during a roundtable discussion titled "Robotic Surgery: Innovation and Surgical Excellence," held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Vigo. The event, organised by the chair, brought together experts in urology and robotic surgery to discuss the potential, benefits, and challenges of integrating this technology into hospital practice.
Comesaña explained that the university is working on developing one or more micro-credentials focused on the competencies required for participating in robotic surgery interventions. The proposed training will cover topics such as patient safety, operating room preparation, specific instrumentation, coordination of care teams, and associated care for these types of interventions.
This initiative responds to a request from Ribera Povisa Hospital and aims to strengthen the connection between university education and the real needs of healthcare centres. Comesaña emphasised that the introduction of new technologies must be accompanied by an update of professionals' competencies, highlighting the crucial role of nursing in ensuring procedural safety and humanising patient care.
One of the key reflections from the roundtable was the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in incorporating robotics into operating rooms. As discussed during the event, surgical innovation relies not only on the sophistication of equipment but also on the experience of professionals, the organisation of work, and the coordination of all team members.
Nursing plays an essential role in preparing the operating room, handling instrumentation, preventing complications, and providing care before and after surgery. The use of these technologies necessitates new competencies and ongoing training to ensure patient safety and quality care.
The roundtable featured contributions from urology and robotic surgery specialists Manuel Ruibal Moldes and Manuel Carballo Quintá, who examined the evolution of surgical techniques and the opportunities presented by robotic systems. The session was moderated by Emma Iglesias, Medical Director of Ribera Povisa Hospital, and attended by numerous healthcare professionals, educators, and nursing students.
Discussions included the differences between conventional, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery, as well as the importance of appropriately selecting procedures and having professionals specifically trained to use these technologies. Systems such as the da Vinci platform allow surgeons to perform interventions from a console that offers an enhanced three-dimensional view and precise control of instruments. This technology facilitates highly precise movements and access to complex anatomical areas, expanding the possibilities of minimally invasive surgery.
Depending on the type of intervention and the characteristics of each patient, these techniques can help reduce surgical trauma, promote recovery, and improve the patient experience. However, specialists also stressed the need to assess the indications, benefits, and limitations of each procedure.
Manuel Ruibal Moldes has extensive experience in laparoscopic and robotic surgery, as well as in training specialists in these techniques. Meanwhile, Manuel Carballo Quintá, a professor at the University of Vigo, has conducted part of his clinical and research work at internationally renowned centres such as Imperial College Healthcare and The Royal Marsden Hospital in the UK.
