Intuitive Surgical Exec: Here Is Why Robotic Surgery Is Useful (Forbes)
Intuitive Surgical is the maker of the Da Vinci Surgical System, a robot used in prostate removal and other surgical procedures. There, Dr. Mohr develops new surgical procedures and evaluates new technologies for improving surgical outcomes. She submitted this piece in response to a post by Forbes contributor Robert Pearl, who is the chief executive of the Permanente Medical Group. I continue to think Pearl wrote a thoughtful post, but he did not give enough opportunity for defenders of robotic surgery to state their case. That opportunity is therefore given here.
As a doctor and engineer who has dedicated myself to developing new and better ways to perform medical procedures around the world, I have seen firsthand how minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery has revolutionized the field of surgery. I have also directly experienced the value it can bring to both surgeons and patients.
Disruptive technology such as robotics naturally breeds skeptics. This is a good thing, as every new medical technology should earn its way into practice by either improving outcomes or reducing cost (ideally both). However, s...
