Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD
Abstract Title:
Program Director: Lonny Yarmis, DO
Associate Program Director: Hans J. Le, MD
Type of Program: Interventional Pulmonology Division of Pulmonary / Critical Care
Abstract Authors: Lee HJ1, Feller-Kopman D1, Ricardo Ortiz1, Akulian J1, Sutorius L1, Yarmus L1
RATIONALE
Interventional Pulmonology (IP) is a procedural based specialty. Incoming IP fellows have variable didactic and procedural skills in advance procedures prior to starting IP fellowship.
High-fidelity and cadaver simulation training provides a zero-risk setting in which skills can be acquired through repetition. This has been shown in medicine and other industries (aviation, military) to steepen the learning curve and optimize safety. We introduced an intense orientation camp prior to patient encounters in advance procedural and didactic learning.
EDUCATIONAL STRATEGY
An intense simulation orientation camp over 1 day was offered to all incoming interventional pulmonary fellows in the US. A computer based 75 multiple choice question exam was offered at the start of the camp followed by didactic lectures from various program directors. This was followed by procedural simulation training using high fidelity simulators (EBUS, Navigational Bronchoscopy, airway stents and valves) and cadavers (rigid bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy, tracheostomy, stent removal, thermal ablation). Fellows had initial demonstration followed by repetitive skills training. 12 months after the orientation camp, the same multiple choice exam was re-administered to all fellows.
RESULTS
14 incoming Interventional Pulmonary Fellows participated in the simulation orientation camp. Initial test scores had a mean of 62% (Range 52-73%). All 14 fellows had an increase in their examination at 12 months with a mean of 74% (SD 5, 61-81%).
CONCLUSIONS
Early simulation training prior to patient encounters may offer an earlier and steeper learning curve for fellowship training.
