Education in gynecological brachytherapy

Area of Science:

• Radiation Oncology
• Gynecological Cancers
• Medical Education

Background:

• Brachytherapy is crucial for gynecological cancer treatment, with recent advances improving outcomes.
• Clinical practice in the US has shifted away from brachytherapy, attributed to lack of training and exposure.
• Procedural-based specialties show a link between case volume and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current initiatives and strategies for gynecological brachytherapy training.
• To highlight the role of simulation-based medical education (SBME) in addressing training gaps.
• To explore the potential of standardized training and SBME for certification and global health.

Main Methods:

• Review of single, multi-institutional, and national initiatives in gynecological brachytherapy training.
• Analysis of the impact of creative teaching strategies and simulation-based medical education.
• Examination of programs like the American Brachytherapy Society's 300 in 10 initiative.

Main Results:

• Various training efforts have successfully improved learner confidence and competence.
• SBME shows growing application in training residents and faculty in gynecological brachytherapy.
• The 300 in 10 initiative demonstrates progress in training competent brachytherapists.

Conclusions:

• Standardized brachytherapy curricula and SBME are vital to counteract declining practice.
• SBME can be integrated into initial certification and maintenance of certification processes.
• Expanding these training models globally, especially in low-resource settings, is recommended.