School of Thrombectomy-A 3-Step Approach to Perform Acute Stroke Treatment with Simulator Training and Virtual Supervision by Remote Streaming Support (RESS)

As the number of neurointerventional procedures continues to increase, so does the need for well-trained neurointerventionalists. The purpose of this work was to establish and assess a systematic 3-step approach to perform acute stroke treatment including simulator training and virtual supervision by remote streaming support (RESS). Five trainees (four men, one women) who have completed the 3-step approach have answered an 11-item questionnaire (5-point Likert scale) in order to evaluate training step 1 (simulator). Furthermore, all trainees and one supervisor (female) answered a standardized questionnaire following the initial 15 consecutive thrombectomies for each trainee, corresponding to a total of 75 thrombectomies. The simulator training yielded learning benefits and confidence gain to perform MT on patients. The RESS approach facilitated the translation during the first independently performed thrombectomies on patients. In summary, the presented 3-step approach increases the level of safety, as reported by the trainees and supervisor in this study and may enable an accelerated training of neurointerventionalists.

Automated summary

As the number of neurointerventional procedures increases, there is a growing demand for well-trained neurointerventionalists. This study aimed to establish and assess a systematic 3-step approach for acute stroke treatment, which includes simulator training and virtual supervision through remote streaming support (RESS). Five trainees who completed the 3-step approach evaluated the first training step (simulator) through an 11-item questionnaire. Additionally, all trainees and one supervisor answered a standardized questionnaire after the initial 15 consecutive thrombectomies for each trainee, totaling 75 thrombectomies. The simulator training provided learning benefits and increased confidence in performing the procedures on patients, while the RESS approach facilitated the translation to independent thrombectomies. Overall, this 3-step approach improves safety and may expedite the training of neurointerventionalists.