Simulator training for enhanced interventional radiology education

To address the challenges of staff shortages and the need to gain practical experience in interventional radiology by increasing attention in the medical curriculum, especially in combination with the opportunity to successfully gain hands-on experience, can help influence medical students’ career decisions in favor of IR. Regular training on VR simulators can reduce the amount of X-ray radiation needed to adequately care for patients. Ten medical students underwent five angiographic training sessions using an endovascular simulator. Virtual fluoroscopy time was recorded during each session to measure skill development. Pre- and post-training questionnaires were conducted to assess changes in subjective proficiency and career interests. The median virtual fluoroscopy time decreased from 19.3 min initially to 9.3 min (p = 0.007), indicating enhanced procedural proficiency. Post-training questionnaires revealed a notable increase in interest in interventional radiology among participants. Additionally, participants reported improvements in practical skills, understanding of interventional radiology, and readiness for real-world interventions. Simulator-based training significantly enhances procedural proficiency and could impact career interests in interventional radiology. Despite the small sample size, the findings support the efficacy of VR training in medical education, highlighting the need for further research to optimize the implementation of simulation technology in medical training.