Effectiveness of Flexible Bronchoscopy Simulation-Based Training: A Systematic Review

Eveline C F Gerretsen*, Aoben Chen, Jouke T Annema, Marleen Groenier, Erik H F M van der Heijden, Walther N K A van Mook, Frank W J M Smeenk

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The implementation of simulation-based training (SBT) to teach flexible bronchoscopy (FB) skills to novice trainees has increased during the last decade. However, it is unknown whether SBT is effective to teach FB to novices and which instructional features contribute to training effectiveness. RESEARCH QUESTION: How effective is FB SBT and which instructional features contribute to training effectiveness? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We searched Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles on FB SBT for novice trainees until November 10, 2022. We assessed methodologic quality of included studies using a modified version of the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument, evaluated risk of bias with relevant tools depending on study design, assessed instructional features, and intended to correlate instructional features to outcome measures. RESULTS: We identified 14 studies from an initial pool of 544 studies. Eleven studies reported positive effects of FB SBT on most of their outcome measures. However, risk of bias was moderate or high in eight studies, and only six studies were of high quality (modified Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument score = 12.5). Moreover, instructional features and outcome measures varied highly across studies, and only four studies evaluated intervention effects on behavioral outcome measures in the patient setting. Simulation training programs in studies with the highest methodologic quality and most relevant outcome measures all included curriculum integration and range in task difficulty. INTERPRETATION: Although most studies reported positive effects of simulation training programs on their outcome measures, definitive conclusions regarding training effectiveness on actual bronchoscopy performance in patients could not be made because of heterogeneity of training features and the sparse evidence of training effectiveness on validated behavioral outcome measures in a patient setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO; No.: CRD42021262853; URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)952-962
Number of pages11
JournalChest
Volume164
Issue number4
Early online date2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • bronchoscopy
  • learning
  • simulation
  • training

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