ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Image-guided training traditionally requires instructors and students to work in close proximity to impart skills and master new medical devices. The classical method of training has been prohibitive during the Covid-19 pandemic. We determined the value of using virtual training on inanimate models that closely replicate the prostate gland on ultrasound and MRI. METHODS: Six urologic procedures which included the injection of a rectal hydrogel spacer, transperineal biopsy, mpMRI fusion biopsy (2 different devices), Cesium-131 implant and focal brachytherapy were taught by urology and radiation oncology experts via a webinar (example in Figure 1). The prostate phantoms were designed to maximize the learning experience and included MRI visible lesions. The training lasted 30 minutes for each procedure. Seven faculty and 110 attendees participated. Survey Monkey was used to assess the education experience of both groups. RESULTS: 31 attendees and the 7 faculty completed the survey. All the faculty responded the phantom simulated human tissue, was easy to set up, and was superior to using a live patient (Table 1). 42.8% believed that 30 minutes was adequate for training. 100% of the attendees also believed the phantom simulated human tissue (Table 1). In contrast to the faculty, only 19.4% of attendee's believed 30 minutes was adequate. 90.3% of the attendees reported that the prostate phantom could substitute for training on a live patient. CONCLUSIONS: This was the first demonstration of remote learning on a physical prostate phantom. While the faculty had more confidence that 30 minutes training was adequate, the attendees requested their own phantom for training. The Covid-19 pandemic provided the opportunity to introduction a novel training approach. Expansion of this method to more complex procedures could substitute for teaching on live patients. Providing phantoms to instructors and attendees represents a future expansion of remote learning.