Education and training evolution in urolithiasis:A perspective from European School of Urology

Objective:With the worldwide increase in urolithiasis prevalence,the present study aimed to delineate and summarise recent evolutions in training for the management of urolithiasis.Methods:A PubMed search using the key words“simulation”,“training”,“ureteroscopy”,“RIRS”,“URS”,“percutaneous nephrolithotomy”,“PCNL”,“virtual reality”,“augmented reality”,“artificial intelligence”,“healthcare”,“curriculum”,and“assessment”was used to examine how education and training in urolithiasis have adapted over recent years.Focus was placed on the role of high-and low-fidelity simulation models,virtual reality and artificial intelligence,and standardised assessment and curriculum.Results:This review supports the necessity to incorporate technology,simulation,and other skill enhancement training modalities into surgical training.However,these cannot solely replace mentored training with an experienced professional supervisor.Whilst technological and simulation advancements are likely to prove increasingly important in urolithiasis training,it is just as important for stratification of robust curricula with validated assessment.We also propose a pathway for future training.Conclusion:Endourology subspeciality training programmes have successfully incorporated simulation model-based training for skill acquisition,refinement,and improving operative outcomes.Success is achieved by maintaining a delicate balance between machine and in person mentor-based training.A trainee-centred model that follows the proposed curriculum could aid this balance for the future generation of trainees.

Role of simulation in kidney stone disease:A systematic review of literature trends in the 26 years

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive techniques for treatment of urinary stones requires expertise,experience and endoscopic skills.Simulators provide a low-stress and low-risk environment while providing a realistic set-up and training opportunities.AIM To report the publication trend of‘simulation in urolithiasis’over the last 26 years.METHODS Research of all published papers on“Simulation in Urolithiasis”was performed through PubMed database over the last 26 years,from January 1997 to December 2022.Papers were labelled and divided in three subgroups:(1)Training papers;(2)Clinical simulation application or surgical procedures;and(3)Diagnostic radiology simulation.Each subgroup was then divided into two 13-year time periods to compare and identify the contrast of different decades:period-1(1997-2009)and period-2(2010-2022).RESULTS A total of 168 articles published on the application of simulation in urolithiasis over the last 26 years(training:n=94,surgical procedures:n=66,and radiology:n=8).The overall number of papers published in simulation in urolithiasis was 35 in Period-1 and 129 in Period-2,an increase of+269%(P=0.0002).Each subgroup shows a growing trend of publications from Period-1 to Period-2:training papers+279%(P=0.001),surgical simulations+264%(P=0.0180)and radiological simulations+200%(P=0.2105).CONCLUSION In the last decades there has been a step up of papers regarding training protocols with the aid of various simulation devices,with simulators now a part of training programs.With the development of 3D-printed and high-fidelity models,simulation for surgical procedure planning and patients counseling is also a growing field and this trend will continue to rise in the next few years.