Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Patrick Harrison is a leading researcher in robotic surgery training, with a focus on virtual reality (VR) simulation and objective skills assessment. His work has fundamentally shaped how surgical competence is measured and taught, particularly for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Harrison’s most influential study, a randomized controlled trial published in 2021 (43 citations), demonstrated that procedural VR training significantly outperforms basic skills VR, providing a critical evidence base for integrating full-procedure simulations into surgical curricula. He also pioneered the validation of a novel VR module for robotic prostatectomy (41 citations) and established objective benchmarks for the RobotiX Mentor simulator (21 citations), defining the performance standards of a competent surgeon. These benchmarks are now widely used to structure progressive training pathways and ensure trainees achieve proficiency before entering the operating room. Harrison’s work bridges the gap between simulation and clinical reality, offering a rigorous, data-driven framework that has been adopted by training programs worldwide. His contributions are essential reading for anyone interested in the future of surgical education, simulation science, or the safe adoption of robotic technology.