Basic Bronchoscopy Competence Achieved by a Nationwide One-day Simulation-based Training.

Background: In 2020, a mandatory, nationwide 1-day bronchoscopy simulation-based training (SBT) course was implemented for novice pulmonology residents in the Netherlands. This pretest-posttest study was the first to evaluate the effectiveness of such a nationwide course in improving residents' simulated basic bronchoscopy skills.

Methods: After passing a theoretical test, residents followed a 1-day SBT course, available in 7 centers, where they practiced their bronchoscopy skills step-by-step on a virtual reality simulator under pulmonologist supervision.

Added value of EUS-B-FNA to bronchoscopy and EBUS-TBNA in diagnosing and staging of lung cancer.

Background: Bronchoscopy and EBUS are standard procedures in lung cancer work-up but have low diagnostic yield in lesions outside the central airways and hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes. Growing evidence on introducing the EBUS endoscope into the oesophagus (EUS-B) in the same session as bronchoscopy/EBUS gives access to new anatomical areas that can be safely biopsied.

Objective: To summarize the current evidence of the added value of EUS-B-FNA to bronchoscopy and EBUS-TBNA in lung cancer work-up.

The European Respiratory Society led training programme improves self-reported competency and increases the use of thoracic ultrasound.

Thoracic ultrasound has become a well-implemented diagnostic tool for assessment and monitoring of patients with respiratory symptoms or disease. However, ultrasound examinations are user dependent and sufficient competencies are needed. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) hosts a structured and evidence-based training programme in thoracic ultrasound.

Using the Endoscope for Endobronchial Ultrasound in the Esophagus.

EUS-B is a procedure using the echoendobronchoscope in the esophagus and stomach. The procedure is a minimally invasive, safe, and feasible approach that pulmonologists can use to visualize and biopsy structures adjacent to the esophagus and stomach. EUS-B gives access to many structures of which some may also be reached by EBUS (mediastinal lymph nodes, lung or pleural tumors, pericardial fluid) while others cannot be reached such as retroperitoneal lymph nodes, ascites, and lesions in the liver, pancreas or left adrenal gland.