All UF Urology residents receive training on a simulator in freehand, TRUS-guided systematic prostate biopsy (sPBx) using a Mastery Learning with Deliberate Practice model.
Our mastery-based training model for the pitch-neutral sPBx technique developed at UF is taught to all urology residents by Dr. Stringer with support by the Center for Safety, Simulation & Advanced Learning Technologies. The mastery threshold is a template deviation of ≤5 mm for a 12-core double sextant sPBx on a simulator. Deviation is the shortest distance in mm between the center of a core and its intended template location. Template deviation is the average of the deviations for all the template locations in a sPBx template. If needed, residents come back another day for repeat training sessions, until they achieve the mastery threshold.
Mastery in freehand sPBx is paramount for the accuracy of ultrasound-guided templated biopsies. In addition, freehand sPBx remains relevant with multiple recommendations to immediately follow fused MRI/TRUS biopsy with sPBx to sample lesions missed by fused biopsy.