Virtual Reality Anatomy Trainer Turns Teaching Endobronchial Ultrasound Inside-Out.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Interventional Pulmonology
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Traditional endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) anatomy learning requires mental visualization relative to the bronchoscope.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers an immersive perspective from the viewpoint of bronchoscopic tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a VR anatomy trainer improves endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedural performance compared to traditional methods.
• To assess learner experience and preferences for VR versus traditional EBUS anatomy training.

Main Methods:

• A randomized crossover study compared VR training with traditional methods (2D pictures, 3D models) for EBUS anatomy.
• Performance was tested using an EBUS simulator; user experience and spatial reasoning were also evaluated.
• Sixty-eight fellows and residents participated across three institutions.

Main Results:

• All methods improved EBUS performance after the first session, with no significant difference between methods.
• VR training was preferred by 96% of learners, offering a preferred "inside-looking-out" perspective.
• VR training mitigated the impact of baseline spatial reasoning ability on performance improvement.

Conclusions:

• VR anatomy trainers are preferred by learners for EBUS education due to their procedural perspective alignment.
• This VR approach enhances anatomy learning and procedural performance across diverse spatial reasoning abilities.
• Interpreting ultrasound images within VR remains a challenge.