Our six pain medicine fellows recently participated in a workshop to prepare them for the realities of performing interventional pain procedures. They identified spine anatomy and practiced guiding needles and locating targets under fluoroscopy, which are essential skills for safe and successful procedures.
Juan Mora, M.D., associate professor of anesthesiology, and David Lizdas, M.S., engineer III, led the training session utilizing the tools and resources of the UF Center for Safety, Simulation & Advanced Learning Technologies (CSSALT). CSSALT offers simulated medical education and training to healthcare professionals and learners.
In this workshop, fellows used CSSALT’s mixed-reality fluoroscopy simulator with a voice-controlled simulated C-Arm. Other features of the simulator include a large language model with natural language control, a tracked needle, and camera controller.
Lizdas is one of the creators of the simulator. “With this simulator, trainees are able to insert and steer a real needle into a ballistics gel block with 3D-printed bones, control a C-Arm with conversational voice commands, and view simulated fluoroscopy images,” he explained.
Mora spoke about some additional benefits of the simulator: “An extra advantage is that the trainees can verbally communicate with a simulated radiology technician to obtain the adequate fluoroscopy view to perform the procedure, which is quite important for a team-based approach.”
Simulated training allows learners to practice in a safe and controlled environment. Mora praised the amazing job the CSSALT team has done in replicating a realistic work environment that is also user friendly. “Having a simulation space where fellows have exposure to rare interventions is really valuable,” he said. “When they graduate, they can be confident in performing each and every one of the procedures that are needed during their independent practice and have the ability to serve a wider population with pain complaints.”