Digital twin-based bronchoscopy simulator improves training performance and skill retention of novices: a randomised controlled study
Rationale Conventional bronchoscopy training often does not ensure lasting skill retention or adaptability to different anatomies, limiting real-world impact. This study used a digital-twin bronchoscopy simulator with various CT-derived bronchial tree models to better train novices. - Objectives To...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
November 9, 2025
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| In: |
Thorax
Year: 2025, Pages: 1-9 |
| ISSN: | 1468-3296 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/thorax-2025-223147 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax-2025-223147 Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2025/11/09/thorax-2025-223147 
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| Author Notes: | Mingming Deng, Fajiu Li, Fei Tang, Wei Chen, Feng Wang, Chun-Li Tang, Run Tong, Zhen Yang, Weidong Xu, Nan Zhang, Yang Xia, Shiyue Li, Felix JF Herth, Gang Hou |
| Summary: | Rationale Conventional bronchoscopy training often does not ensure lasting skill retention or adaptability to different anatomies, limiting real-world impact. This study used a digital-twin bronchoscopy simulator with various CT-derived bronchial tree models to better train novices. - Objectives To explore training with various anatomically diverse bronchial tree models in novices’ bronchoscopy performance. - Methods 60 bronchoscopy-naive participants were randomly assigned to three groups (n=20 each): control (written instruction only), anatomic-uniformity (trained on one standard bronchial model) and anatomic-variety (trained on multiple patient-derived bronchial models). All participants performed two tests: test 1 on a standard model and test 2 on a new CT-derived model. Both tests were repeated 3 months later to assess skill retention. The primary comparison was between the anatomic-variety and anatomic-uniformity groups. - Measurements and main results 60 participants completed tests 1 and 2. 55 returned at 3 months. In test 1, there were no significant differences between the anatomic-variety and anatomic-uniformity groups in diagnostic completeness (DC, 0 segments, p=0.576), structured progress (SP, 1 correct progression, p=0.091) and procedure time (31 s, p=0.831). In test 2, the anatomic-variety group had significantly higher DC (2.5 segments, p<0.001) and SP (9 progression, p<0.001) than the anatomic-uniformity group. At 3 months, the anatomic-variety group retained superior DC and SP scores in both tests despite slight declines. - Conclusions Training with diverse anatomical models significantly enhanced bronchoscopy performance compared with repetitive practice on a single standardised model with partially maintained learning gains at 3 months. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 19.03.2026 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1468-3296 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/thorax-2025-223147 |