Tourism Paradoxes: Contradictions, Controversies and Challenges

At a time when COVID-19 is transforming the tourism industry, this book presents a collection of some of the many contemporary contradictions and inconsistencies apparent in tourism contexts and tourism studies. Increasingly, tourism is regarded as an agent of social and cultural change, in ways which inevitably throw up new and inescapable paradoxes. The chapters draw attention to paradoxes (such as Anglo-Western-centrism/Non-Western imperatives, continued colonisation/decolonisation, political apparatus/people's empowerment, global standards/local dynamics) and their prominence in the tourism field as well as in other disciplines. The volume offers a reconsideration of what may be needed, conceptually and methodologically, in order to equip researchers and practitioners in tourism and related social science fields to better interpret and manage the future of tourism. © 2021 Erdinç Çakmak, Hazel Tucker, Keith Hollinshead and the authors of individual chapters. All rights reserved.

3D printed models decentralise surgical skills training for retrograde intrarenal surgery and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the COVID-19 era

Introduction & Objectives: Imparting the required psychomotor skills for trainees to become proficient in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery (RIRS) is tricky for surgical educators, due to the challenging nature of the procedures and the lack of realistic simulators. The current COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these issues by reducing learning opportunities for trainees through reduced case numbers and availability of surgical skills courses. To address these contemporaneous issues, we have developed 3D printed inexpensive combined RIRS and PCNL training models for both in-person and video conference skills training. Materials & Methods: Anonymised Computed Tomography data was used to develop the training model, using medical image processing software (3D Slicer, version 4.12, Harvard, USA). The model was 3D printed using flesh-coloured resin which best approximated the appearance of the collecting system during ureteroscopy. The face validity of the simulator was assessed by surgical educators for its suitability for both in-person and remote training. Results: The RIRS and PCNL training model was evaluated by expert Urologists involved in the national training of the procedures and found to be more realistic and affordable when compared to available alternatives. The 3D printed model was developed for under €3, allowing multiple identical copies to be 3D printed for both in-person courses and scheduled video conferencing workshops with the models distributed to each participating centre beforehand. This “hub and spoke” method of surgical skills training is greatly facilitated by the affordability of the 3D printed models. Conclusions: We have developed an inexpensive combined RIRS and PCNL training model for both in-person and remote training at USANZ and other international training courses. 3D printed simulators have great future potential in the training of endourological and other urological procedures, enhancing connectivity and facilitating the decentralisation of training courses for the acquisition of key surgical skills.