Robotic Urology - Prostate - From Basic to Procedural Skills

Develop your skills in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy through a structured training pathway, from theoretical preparation and laboratory practice to supervised clinical training and a final assessment.

Jointly organised by Orsi Academy and KU Leuven, this micro-credential follows the proficiency-based progression (PBP) methodology. You progress through four components, demonstrating the required proficiency before moving to the next stage.

Programme structure

1. Preparatory e-learning

Build your theoretical knowledge of robotic surgery, the robotic system’s instructions for use and the procedural steps of RARP, using procedure-specific metrics.

The e-learning starts approximately one month before the on-site training. You must pass the online proficiency test before progressing to the laboratory training.

2. Five-day hands-on training at Orsi Academy

Develop basic and procedure-specific robotic skills through structured simulation training. The programme covers robotic system use, suturing, knot tying, dissection, coagulation and the procedural steps of RARP using laboratory training models.

You receive expert feedback and must demonstrate proficiency in the laboratory before progressing to clinical training.

The detailed timetable in the ‘Program’ section below covers these five days at Orsi Academy only. The other three components form part of the full micro-credential but are not included in that timetable.

3. Modular training in the operating theatre

Continue your training at your own workplace in an EAU Robotic Host Center, under the supervision of a mentor who has completed PBP-specific Train-the-Trainer training.

You gradually progress from bedside assistance to performing individual procedural steps at the robotic console. Your mentor assesses your progress and provides feedback. You record your development in an online logbook, which your mentor supervises and validates.

4. Final PBP assessment on a real case

After demonstrating proficiency in all procedural steps during clinical training, you submit a recording of a complete RARP procedure for assessment.

This final assessment determines whether you have achieved the required proficiency level and results in a pass/fail outcome.

Preparation and study format

The programme combines online self-study, five days of on-site laboratory training at Orsi Academy and workplace-based clinical training and assessment at an EAU Robotic Host Center.

Training and assessment take place in English. The clinical training follows your individual progress towards the required proficiency benchmarks.

Assessment and certification

Assessment takes place throughout the programme:

• E-learning: an online test assesses your theoretical knowledge and readiness for laboratory training.
• Laboratory training: practical assessment against predefined proficiency benchmarks.
• Clinical training: ongoing assessment and feedback from your mentor, supported by your online logbook.
• Final assessment: evaluation of a recorded complete RARP procedure, resulting in a pass/fail outcome.

Following attendance at the on-site training, you receive an Orsi Academy Certificate of Attendance. Achieving the laboratory proficiency benchmark also earns you a PBP Certificate of Proficiency in the Lab.

Completing all four programme components and passing the required assessments leads to a micro-credential certificate issued by KU Leuven, also on behalf of Orsi Academy.

Only participants who are officially enrolled at KU Leuven are eligible to receive the KU Leuven micro-credential certificate.

If you have not reached the laboratory proficiency benchmark by the end of day five, an additional remediation day will be arranged at no extra course fee. Travel and accommodation costs are excluded.

Please consult the RARP assessment regulations for the full assessment conditions here.

How to apply

Select ‘Apply for this course’ to submit your application. Our team will review it and email you the outcome. If accepted, you will receive a confirmation and payment request. Your place is secured once payment is completed.

After your application has been approved, you must also complete your enrolment at KU Leuven. You can find the KU Leuven application form here.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

• Set up a surgical robotic system and troubleshoot technical issues using your knowledge of its technical specifications.
• Perform a standard robot-assisted radical prostatectomy safely and independently, demonstrating proficiency in both laboratory and clinical settings.
• Independently and successfully perform a complete procedure on an index patient.
• Apply a structured and standardised approach to surgery using procedure-specific metrics and proficiency-based progression.
• Support a junior colleague.

This programme is intended for urology residents in the final two years of their specialist training and urology fellows who completed their specialist training no more than seven years ago.

Participants must:

• Be able to communicate in English.
• Have access to the robotic infrastructure and clinical training environment required for workplace-based training at an EAU Robotic Host Center.
• Complete the preparatory e-learning and pass the required proficiency test before attending the on-site training.