Embry-Riddle Student Working To Refine Robotic Surgery

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Daytona Beach, FL - An Embry-Riddle student on track to earn a Ph.D.  already has plenty of operating

room experience under her belt. But, not as a clinician.

Jordan Rogers, a student since 2013, who's working towards a Ph.D. in Human Factors, is instead turning her career aspirations towards research and studying how surgical teams communicate to each other and how systems like the da Vinci Surgical System alter that interaction.

“When I saw the connections between human factors and healthcare, that’s when I really found my niche,” Rogers said.

According to Embry-Riddle, Rogers originally planned to pursue a nursing career, but an internship at Intuitive Surgical, the California company that manufactures the da Vinci system, plotted a new course for her.

“I realized I really liked analyzing the teamwork dynamics,” Rogers said. “I knew I wanted to be a part of that.”

Rogers returned to Intuitive Surgical again in 2018, but this time as a contractor, not an intern. While there, Rogers eventually morphed that role into a fellowship in which she now analyzes hours of video from the surgical suite in an effort to answer questions like, how do surgical team member behaviors differ in traditional compared to robotic procedures? More so, how do their perceptions differ in each environment?

“Certain communication behaviors lead to more effective teamwork,” Rogers explained, adding that simple actions such as verbalizing team members’ names and being specific when requesting tools can reduce confusion and wasted time.

“Robotic surgery is increasingly occurring because of all the various benefits it provides,” Rogers said, citing a more ergonomic design, more accurate movements and computer/camera upgrades that improve visibility. “But poor teamwork is associated with errors, and with this technology, we’re seeing a more distributed team.”

Advised by assistant professor of Human Factors Dr. Elizabeth Lazzara, Rogers is now working on her dissertation with hopes to land a job with a medical device manufacturer or consultancy firm sometime after her graduation.

“She’s really tough, but always for a good reason,” Rogers said of Dr. Lazzara. “She’s challenged me to think more, to delve more into what I really want to know and what things really mean. … This whole experience, it has led me to develop my voice, and to assert myself when I need to.”

In Dr. Lazzara eyes, Rogers serves as a symbol of what students in her department can achieve with the right combination of curiosity and enthusiasm.

“This was a huge turning point for me,” Rogers said. “It’s allowed me to progress much farther than I ever thought I could.”