Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Lawati, an intern at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, has won the Best Oral Presentation Award at the International Conference on Surgery and Innovation (ICSI) held in Romania.
His presentation, titled “Surgical Innovation in Robotic Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study on Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Robotic Surgery in Oman”, explored how medical students in the Sultanate of Oman perceive robotic surgery amid the growing global shift towards advanced surgical technologies.
Robotic surgery is expanding rapidly worldwide and is gradually being introduced into Oman’s healthcare system, where it is currently limited to a number of specialised centres. This trend reflects a broader commitment to adopting advanced surgical technologies as part of ongoing healthcare development strategies.
The study surveyed 519 medical students at SQU. Findings revealed that 71.5% had previously heard of robotic surgery, while 87.3% acknowledged that their knowledge of the field remains insufficient. A significant majority supported its integration into medical education, with 81.3% in favour of including it in undergraduate curricula and 88.2% advocating for its incorporation into residency training programmes. Additionally, 88.6% of respondents believed that Oman should invest in robotic surgery.
Held in its inaugural edition, the conference serves as an international platform bringing together leading surgeons and researchers from prestigious universities worldwide. It attracted more than 2,000 students and early-career doctors, alongside 25 international speakers from various countries.
The award was granted in recognition of Al-Lawati’s research project, which examines medical students’ attitudes towards robotic surgery in Oman within the context of increasing adoption of modern surgical techniques.
Al-Lawati has published more than 40 scientific papers and has received numerous awards at both national and international levels, including recognition in Canada, Bulgaria, India, Poland, and Oman. He has also played an active role in mentoring students and early-career doctors in research, both within Oman and internationally, including in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Bahrain. Under his supervision, around 50 students and junior doctors have achieved their first scientific publication. Al-Lawati aims to continue his academic and professional journey in surgery and medical innovation, contributing to the advancement of healthcare practices through research and emerging technologies.