Purpose: Use of image guided percutaneous renal interventions (i.e. biopsy, tumor ablation and/or nephrostomy) is growing worldwide, whereas methods of resident training have recently not been developed. Our aim was to evaluate the role of the anatomically realistic and economically affordable kidney simulator in resident training.
Materials and Methods: 1 day training of urology residents and 5 days training of radiology residents were conducted using anatomically realistic kidney simulators made from disposable bio-soluble material based on 3D data sets of CT (SafeToAct Ltd., Estonia). The physical content of the phantom material and its ultrasound properties are similar to human tissue. 10 urology trainees in Moscow and 12 radiology residents in Tallinn were trained by two experienced interventional radiologists. Following hands-on training, trainees completed validated questionnaires regarding their previous experience in ultrasound-guided interventions, simulator ultrasound properties and overall usefulness, and rated their confidence in performing renal interventions prior to and following the training (1-40 scale).
Results: The confidence of urologists’ performance increased by 14% after 1 day training and the confidence of the radiologists increased by 26% after 5 days group training. All trainees regardless their previous experience reported that they would recommend such training to colleagues and it should be available for their daily practice. Moreover, respondents emphasized the importance of real time feedback and simulators for other anatomic regions.
Conclusion: The survey revealed that anatomically realistic simulators should be included into the resident training program for renal interventions. Development of real-time performance feedback software and simulators of additional anatomies is under way.
