Additional Call: ESTS Robotic Discovery Course

Amsterdam, 11–12 March 2026

The ESTS Robotic Working Group is pleased to invite applications for the ESTS Robotic Discovery Course, to be held at the Amsterdam Skills Centre on 11–12 March 2026.

This intensive two-day course combines focused theoretical lectures with hands-on wet-lab training in robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS). Training will be delivered under the supervision of an experienced international faculty and is designed to support surgeons in developing safe and effective robotic surgical skills.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be ESTS members residing in Europe

• Work in a hospital with access to a da Vinci surgical system

• Demonstrate a strong interest in Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS)

• Have completed at least 100 thoracoscopic procedures as primary surgeon

Important Nationality Restriction

Candidates from France and Belgium are not eligible for this additional call.

Regulatory Notice for French and Belgium Applicants

Please note that, for French and Belgium applicants, a minimum legal delay of two months is required for the CNOM declaration between the date of application acceptance and the course start date. This regulatory requirement must be taken into account when planning participation.

Preliminary Requirements (Must Be Completed Before the Course)

All selected participants must have completed the following prior to attending the course:

1. Da Vinci Technology Online Modules

Covering the basic design and operation of the da Vinci System.
A certificate of completion must be issued by the Company upon successful completion of the module in Intuitive Learning.

2. Da Vinci Technology Overview – In-Person In-Service

An overview of the system conducted at the hospital by a Company sales representative or a Program Technician/Lead previously trained by the Company.

3. Da Vinci Technology Skills Drills
Hands-on practice using:

A physical skills drill kit (minimum 20 hours) and

A virtual reality skills simulator (with attainment of a required performance score).

4. Bedside Assisting Experience
Completion of a minimum of 50–75 robotic-assisted bedside assist cases prior to the hands-on/in-person program.

Additional Criteria

• The agreement of the robotic surgeons of the unit that the young surgeon, the fellow, or the resident will be trained and mentored for their own procedures after the completion of this training.

• For surgeons who will lead and start a new robotic program in their hospital:

• A description of the project with the support of their local Intuitive clinical support, in order then to identify proctors that will train and proctor the candidate.

Support Provided

• Full educational course content

• Travel and up to two nights’ accommodation (arranged and covered by Intuitive)

Further Opportunities

Selected participants may be invited to attend an Advanced ESTS Robotic Course later in 2026.

Course Leadership

Program Director
Prof. Jean-Marc Baste
(Rouen University Hospital, France)

Course Director
Prof. Ghada Shahin
(Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands)

Faculty Members (4 total)
François Montagne
(Valenciennes, France)
Additional faculty to be confirmed

How to Apply

Please submit your application by 30 January 2026 to:
Zlatka Mitreva
zmitreva@kenes.com

Application Documents Must Include

• Written confirmation that all eligibility criteria are met

• Current CV and Robotic CV

• All relevant supporting documents

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