Assessment of Worldwide Bronchoscopy Practices and Training Methods: A WABIP Survey

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Medical Procedures
• Global Health

Background:

• Bronchoscopy practice lacks standardization globally.
• Major guidelines offer limited recommendations on technical aspects of bronchoscopy.
• Variations in practice exist across different countries and physicians.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate prevalent bronchoscopy practices worldwide.
• To assess adherence to existing guidelines.
• To examine training requirements for bronchoscopy.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was designed by the World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology.
• The survey targeted 1,300 consultant physicians in adult respiratory medicine across 64 countries.
• 879 responses (67.0%) were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Bronchoscopy is predominantly performed in large cities (81.2%).
• Routine bronchoscopy without anesthesia is rare (11%).
• Pre-procedure testing varies: spirometry (12.4%), coagulation tests (60.6%), ECG (38.5%).
• Primary indications include suspicion of cancer (78.6%) and infections (17.3%).
• Formal training is reported by 39.3% of respondents.

Conclusions:

• Significant global and regional variations exist in bronchoscopy practices.
• Adherence to guidelines regarding preparation, anesthesia, and technical aspects is inconsistent.
• Further standardization efforts are needed to improve bronchoscopy procedures.