Evaluation of a Virtual Reality CT-Guided Focal Liver Biopsy Module

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Interventional Radiology
• Virtual Reality Simulation

Background:

• Traditional training for computed tomography (CT)-guided focal liver biopsy presents challenges for resident education.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers a potential solution for immersive and repeatable procedural training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a novel VR module designed for CT-guided focal liver biopsy training.
• To assess the impact of the VR module on interventional radiology (IR) residents' knowledge and confidence.

Main Methods:

• 18 IR residents were divided into control (PGY-1) and intervention (PGY-2/3) groups.
• Participants completed pre-, post-, and one-month knowledge and confidence surveys.
• The intervention group utilized a CT-guided focal liver biopsy VR module twice.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significant knowledge gains post-module (p=0.03), which were stable at one month (p=0.09).
• Confidence in procedural steps and performance significantly increased pre- to post- and pre- to final assessments (p<0.05).
• VR needle placement accuracy remained stable, but scan counts and completion times increased in the intervention group.

Conclusions:

• The VR module effectively enhanced residents' knowledge and confidence in CT-guided focal liver biopsy.
• Learnings and confidence remained stable at one month, highlighting VR's utility as a sustainable teaching tool.
• Despite a slight decline in VR-specific motor skills, the overall educational benefits of VR were demonstrated.