Introduction: Hands-on training using surgical phantoms can improve the skills of physicians learning new procedures. Teaching typically requires the proctor to travel to the site where the training takes place. We introduce a new concept, the Remote Training Platform, which utilizes augmented reality to place the proctor in the room with the student, all done remotely.
Methods: Beta Testing was performed utilizing a novel headset that combined a see-through optic display and an embedded webcam. The optic displayed the live images from the ultrasound while the webcam captured the images from the proctor’s and student’s hands. The headset created see-through vision as both clinicians could view into the phantom box while simultaneously looking at their hands when performing the procedure. A video-conferencing platform was developed that allowed the collection of 4 distinct video feeds. For this demonstration, the proctor trained a student how to insert a hydrogel spacer between the rectum and the prostate (figure).
Results: The proctor demonstrated to the student the following steps while the student watched remotely. Both were wearing a headset. 1. Placement of the needle 2 cm above the rectal probe into the perineum in sagittal view. 2. Proper angle of the needle so it entered the space between the prostate and the rectum just above the rectal hump. 3. Passage of the needle into the perirectal space to the base of the prostate. 4. Switching to axial imaging to demonstrate correct position of the needle in the midline. 5. A test injection of 0.5cc of hydrogel. 6. Return to sagittal imaging and withdrawal of the needle to the apex while injecting the remainder of the hydrogel creating the additional space. The student then repeated these steps while the proctor observed and provided additional instructions.
Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of remote training on a new procedure frequently being taught to urologists and radiation oncologists. The proctor and the student were in two different locations. The use of the Remote Training Platform’s hardware and software facilitated this successful training environment.
Source of Funding: SIM, Inc. provided the prostate phantoms
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