As a cardiovascular technologist (CVT), the ability to diagnose and treat patients with heart and vascular diseases requires not only a thorough understanding of the theories, but also hands-on training in the procedures and techniques used.
With the increasing demand for healthcare workers and the unhealthy lifestyle habits of the population, the role of cardiovascular technologists is becoming more crucial. Today many CVT-programs use our medical simulator to train their students, just like Valencia College. However, the challenge of providing hands-on training without medical simulators can pose a significant obstacle to the education of future cardiovascular technologists.
In this blogpost, we will explore the importance of hands-on training in the field, the challenges of providing such training without medical simulators, and the opportunities for the proctors and students using medical simulators. By examining the advantages of hands-on training and the skills that require practical experience, you can improve your CVT training programs.
Give your students accessable team training to prepare them for the OR.
Importance of hands-on training in the field of cardiovascular surgery
There are several instruments and devices where the students need to get hands-on training, in a safe environment away from patients. How does your students learn to use guidewire, balloons, stents, and other interventional devices today? Other devices students need to know how to operate are the C-arm, patient’s table and the fluoroscopic screen.
When students have hands-on training it’s improtant not only to have access to get enough training but also the quality of training to gain skills and confidents that is transferable to the OR. When using the correct interventional devices they also need to train on accurate anatomy. With Surgical Science simulators the students have variety of educational aids to establish anatomical and procedural knowledge.
Realistic training
How does your students experience the training? Is it realistic?
“We have been training physicians for many years in different models – sillicone, glass, animal models. None of these models gives you a realistic overview of the anatomy,” said Prof. Grunwald Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiologist at Southend University Hospital, UK. Read more here.
Assessing the students’ performance
Are you able to objectively measure and assess individual and class performance today?
In Denmark, physicians undergoing training in vascular surgery must pass a simulation exam before they are allowed to operate on patients. That’s the only right thing to do, says the chief physician at Rigshospitalet hospital.
Dr. Jonas Eiberg, chief physician at the Vascular Surgery Department at Rigshospitalet, said, “Our residents simply must not be involved in ballooning and stenting patients before they have passed the exam.” Read more here.
Using training ANGIO Mentor, the training simulator
“We need to take time to go to the simulation center rather than losing time in the
OR doing mistakes on our patients. We strongly believe that simulation will become a necessary part of training in the future. The ANGIO Mentor is an integral part of the making vascular surgical residents and fellows better surgeons and physicians.” Dr. Nabil Chakfe, vascular surgeon, head of GEPROVAS, and Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery and Renal Transplantation at Strasbourg University Hospital.
Valencia College’s Cardiovascular Technology Program educates and prepares students to become Invasive Cardiovascular Specialists known as a Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT). Simbionix ANGIO Mentor simulators are used to provide hands-on experience for their students in cardiovascular and peripheral vascular training. Polly Keller, Professor, Cardiovascular Technology, indicates that some of the modules on the ANGIO Mentor that they use include Coronary, CRM (Cardiac Rhythm Management), Renal, SFA, Iliac, and BTK (Below-the-Knee).
Accessable training
Our cardiovascular simulator ANGIO also comes in portable platforms.
Understanding the cardiovascular technologist roles and practice communication with team members is important practise before entering the OR. The students will also learn and practice the procedural steps. They will also encounter a variety of anatomies, including difficult or rare anatomies, which may otherwise not be encountered during a training period.
Learn more how to enhance your of hands-on training with ANGIO Mentor