Use of simulator for EUS training in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary diseases

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: EUS has been widely used in the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, improvements in the conventional training pattern of EUS are needed urgently. In this study, we compared the results achieved after use of clinical practice training patterns combined with or without simulator training and evaluated the effectiveness of simulator use in EUS training. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The trainees were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group was trained with both clinical practice and simulator training system and the control group was only trained through clinical practice. After 1 month of training, trainees of both groups were tested with an established technical evaluation procedure that aimed to assess trainees’ ability to examine the normal anatomical structure. Then, trainees in the experimental group completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean test score of the experimental group (64.53 ± 4.91) was significantly greater than that of the control group (60.09 ± 5.49; P = 0.028). Moreover, the individual test score of trainees in the experimental group was positively correlated with the frequency of simulator use (P = 0.242). CONCLUSION: Simulator training can promote trainees’ ability to evaluate the normal anatomical structure, and thus, can improve the efficiency of the EUS training program.