Public Perceptions Toward Robotic Surgery, Telesurgery and Telemedicine

NCT06803719 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-KY-507(K)
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 1,000
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to systematically assess the public's and clinicians' levels of awareness, attitudes, risk perception, acceptance, and potential concerns regarding robotic surgery and telesurgery. It also analyzes the key factors influencing their attitudes and explores the needs of physicians regarding training systems for robotic and telesurgery, as well as the factors affecting their preparedness.

Conditions

Robotic Surgery; Telemedicine

Keywords

Public perception; Telemedicine adoption; Surgical training; Surgical decision-making

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Public acceptance of robotic surgery

  The level of acceptance toward robotic surgery among the general public, measured using a 5-point Likert scale assessing willingness to receive robotic-assisted procedures under hypothetical clinical scenarios. Higher scores indicate greater acceptance.

  Baseline

• Public acceptance of telesurgery and telemedicine

  The degree of acceptance of telesurgery among the general public, assessed via a validated questionnaire evaluating willingness to undergo remote surgery, perceived safety, and perceived reliability of network-based surgical systems.

  Baseline

• Public perceived risk of robotic and telesurgery

  Perceived risk associated with robotic surgery and telesurgery, including concerns about device malfunction, network failure, surgical autonomy, and responsibility attribution, assessed using a multi-item Likert scale. Higher scores indicate higher perceived risk.

  Baseline

• Physicians' training needs score (assessed by self-designed questionnaire)

  This measure assesses physicians' perceived training needs regarding required skills (e.g., simulation, console operation) and preferred modalities (e.g., online courses, wet labs). Participants rate items on a 5-point Likert scale (1=Not needed, 5=Highly needed).

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Public group

The general public sample included residents of mainland China aged 18 and older who were able to understand and complete the questionnaire, regardless of gender, region, or occupation. The aim was to assess the general public's awareness, risk perception, trust, and acceptance of robotic surgery and remote surgery.

Other: Survey Questionnaire

Physician group

The clinical physician sample included practicing physicians from surgical specialties (such as general surgery, urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, thyroid surgery, etc.), including residents, attending physicians, and chief/deputy chief physicians of different seniority levels. This group of physicians was used to assess healthcare professionals' awareness, experience, perceived risks, expectations for future applications of robotic and remote surgery, as well as their views on training needs, feasibility, and barriers to training.

Other: Survey Questionnaire

Interventions

Survey Questionnaire OTHER

Anonymous online questionnaire assessing public and physician perceptions of robotic surgery, telesurgery and telemedicine

Physician group; Public group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The general public sample included residents of mainland China aged 18 and older who were able to understand and complete the questionnaire, regardless of gender, region, or occupation. The aim was to assess the general public's awareness, risk perception, trust, and acceptance of robotic surgery and remote surgery. The clinical physician sample included practicing physicians from surgical specialties (such as general surgery, urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, thyroid surgery, etc.), including residents, attending physicians, and chief/deputy chief physicians of different seniority levels.

You may qualify if:

• Chinese citizens aged 18 years or older
• Able to understand and complete the questionnaire
• Voluntarily participating in this study and providing informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Aged below 18 years
• Unable to understand the questionnaire or unable to complete the questionnaire independently
• Those who submit the questionnaire repeatedly

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shanghai 6th People's Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200233, China

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Study Officials

• Ling Zhan, Dr

  Shanghai 6th People's Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Ling Zhan, Dr

CONTACT

08615821120972; 15821120972@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 6 Months
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 27, 2025
• First Posted: January 31, 2025
• Study Start: November 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: January 2, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

CN (1)