Learning to navigate the bronchial tree: Considerations for simulation-based bronchoscopy training

Bronchoscopy is an important medical procedure to examine the airways. In the past, pulmonology residents mainly learnt this skill by practicing directly on patients, which carried certain risks. Simulation-based training offers a safe and realistic alternative: residents can practice without any risk to patients. In 2020, mandatory nationwide bronchoscopy simulation-based training was implemented for all pulmonology residents in the Netherlands. This PhD research shows that such training, even when implemented on a large scale, is highly effective. After only one day of intensive practice, residents already master basic bronchoscopy skills, something that previously often took months. In addition, the research demonstrates the value of testing participants’ knowledge of airway anatomy beforehand so that simulation-based training time can be used most effectively. Finally, this research shows that bronchoscopy simulation-based training is also valuable for intensivists, who perform the procedure less frequently and for whom bronchoscopy education is not a standard part of their residency training. They appreciate simulation-based training and feel more competent afterwards.