Assessment of Bronchoscopic Dexterity and Procedural Competency in a Low-fidelity Simulation Model

Assessment of competency in bronchoscopy has traditionally been undertaken in clinical settings, however, recent recognition of increased procedural complications and learner anxiety have led to interest in simulation-based competency assessment. The aim of this study was to determine if low-fidelity simulation-based assessment allows discrimination of competency based on prior experience between bronchoscopists.

Forty-four participants were allocated to 3 groups based on prior bronchoscopic experience [novices (n=31) with no prior experience, intermediates (n=7) with prior experience of 5 to 10 bronchoscopies, and expert bronchoscopists (n=6) with minimum 200 prior bronchoscopies performed]. Participants performed bronchoscopy in a 3D-printed anatomic airway model and were assessed according to time required to navigate to a target bronchus. Bronchoscopic dexterity was measured using a modified version of the validated Bronchoscopy Skills and Tasks Assessment Tool.

Competency based on successful navigation to a target bronchus differed significantly between each group [experts, 12/12 (100%); intermediates, 9/14 (64%); novices, 19/62 (31%); P<0.001]. Bronchoscopic dexterity as measured by modified Bronchoscopy Skills and Tasks Assessment Tool also differed significantly between groups with experts achieving consistently higher scores compared with other 2 groups [median (interquartile range) scores: novices, 3.5 (2.5 to 5); intermediate, 5 (4.5 to 7); experts, 8 (7.5 to 8); P<0.0.001).

Multiple measures demonstrate that low-fidelity simulation-based assessment may reliably discriminate between different levels of skill in performing bronchoscopic navigation and airway inspection. Procedural dexterity of trainees may be assessed in a 0-risk simulation environment.