Abstract
Purpose :
The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate virtual and in-person training modalities to educate retinal specialists and other ophthalmology professionals on suprachoroidal injection with the SCS Microinjector®. Significant travel and site visitation restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic required that alternative virtual methodologies be developed to continue training when traditionally utilized in-person, wet lab instruction was not permitted.
Methods :
Trainees for the suprachoroidal injection procedure included retina physician-investigators participating in clinical trials and non-physicians, including medical science liaisons and other ophthalmology professionals. Both training modalities included a review of a short film on the procedure, a slide review of key procedural steps, and practice injections with a custom-designed synthetic eye, moderated by a certified trainer providing live feedback. Virtual training was conducted via teleconference; both trainee and trainer connected via webcam and audio connection, with all supplies mailed prior to training. Following completion of training, a follow-up survey was sent to every trainee. Trainees were asked about training component preferences and confidence to perform the procedure on a 5-point Likert scale.
Results :
A total of 31 trainees completed the survey following suprachoroidal injection training, including 21 physicians and 10 non-physicians. A total of 12 training sessions were completed virtually and 19 were completed in person. Physicians reported an average confidence to perform the procedure of 4.8 (range 4-5), while non-physicians reported an average of 4.2 (range 3-5), although non-physician trainees will not be performing the procedures in patients. Across all groups, the most useful component of training was the hands-on wet lab with the synthetic eye (71%) followed by the live trainer feedback and Q&A (26%). Nearly two-thirds of trainees felt that the training was comprehensive and no additional training elements were required.
Conclusions :
Among trainees who completed virtual or in person training on the suprachoroidal injections, physician trainees felt highly confident to perform the procedure with patients. Training experience with a synthetic eye model and live feedback should be incorporated into training curriculums, whether virtual or in person.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.