Elainea Smith, MD

On August 9, the UAB Department of Radiology collaborated with OIPS to organize an inaugural Image-Guided Procedure Simulation course in the Jefferson Tower Procedural Skills lab.

Both diagnostic and interventional radiology faculty lead introductory simulation courses for 10 first-year radiology residents over three hours. Upper level radiology resident instructors were also on hand to provide feedback and guide simulation. High fidelity mannequins were used to gain experience in basic ultrasound scanning technique, as well as paracentesis, thoracentesis, and central line insertion. These three procedures were selected as they emphasize basic procedural skills which can be extrapolated to a wide variety of higher level image guided procedures.

The course was very well received with positive feedback, specifically reducing the anxiety of performing image guided procedures for the first time. There are future hopes of expansion of this curriculum to include more radiology specific procedures such as percutaneous biopsies (ultrasound or CT guided) and abscess drainages.