Do high-fidelity training models translate into better skill acquisition for an endourologist?

Nowadays, accessibility to the operative room is becoming more limited for medical students and residents, principally due to decreasing operative time, increasing waiting list, ethical consideration and legal issue in case of any complications. Simulation models have gained in popularity and are now considered a major component in the training and skill development of medical students and residents before coming to the operative room. In this review, we summarized and discussed the relevant aspect of ureteroscopy training models and gave an overview of the advantage in skill acquisition while training with a high-fidelity model.

Currently, there is an increase in surgical programs trying to implement endourology training models into the curriculum. The training simulators that would allow the medical students and residents to rapidly reach an autonomous level are yet to be developed. Several ureteroscopy models have been described and validated; however, the transposition of skill acquisition into real-life surgery is not properly demonstrated.

Training reduces the learning curve for novice medical students or residents. However, further studies are still needed to better define the impact of skill acquisition in real life and its sustainability.