Myth: For Bronchoscopy Training in the 21st Century, there is a Standard Curriculum or Metrics for EBUS-TBNA Bronchoscopy Education With Good Supporting Evidence

Abstract

Lung cancer-related deaths in the United States in 2015 totaled 153,718, which is equivalent to a major catastrophe such as a Boeing 777 aircraft crashing and killing 550 passengers every 1.5 days per year. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer after breast cancer (for women) and prostate cancer (for men). In 2015, there were 218,527 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the United States. The large incidence and mortality of this malignancy makes it essential for efficient, accurate, and timely diagnosis via minimally invasive methods for lung cancer as well as staging. It is, therefore, of utmost importance to adequality train pulmonary physicians to perform and provide these services to our patients. A standard curriculum for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration bronchoscopy education does not currently exist, and training methods vary among training programs. Can high-fidelity computer-based simulation aid in training physicians for endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration? What assessment tools can be used to assess the skill level and competence of trainees to ensure proper training for such an important procedure?