Abstract 226: Canadian Experience Facilitating a Hands‐on Neurointerventional Workshop for Neurology Trainees

Abstract

Introduction Neurointerventional radiology is a growing field that has seen innumerable advances in recent years. Unlike the US, which has a sizeable presence of interventional neurologists[1], Canada has disproportionately fewer neurologists in the field of neurointervention. One of the barriers to neurology trainees entering the field of neurointerventional radiology is a lack of exposure during their training. To address this barrier, we conducted the first hands‐on neurointervention workshop focusing on neurology trainees during a Canadian national conference. Though this workshop was open to trainees from neurology, neuroradiology, and neurosurgery, it was conducted in association with the Canadian Stroke Consortium and therefore marketed towards neurology trainees. This pilot hands‐on workshop was the first of its kind in Canada targeting neurology trainees. Methods A 2‐hour workshop was conducted in June, 2023 during a Canadian national conference. The workshop included 3 stations: basic equipment orientation, overview of endovascular techniques for ischemic stroke, and an intracranial aneurysm treatment model treatment station. Participants had an opportunity to rotate through each station at least once. Each station was facilitated by a neurointerventionalist or fellow who demonstrated the techniques and devices to participants. Participants practiced handling wires and catheters, deploying stent‐retrievers, and deploying coils in an aneurysm model, among other essential neurointerventional skills. Participants were asked to voluntarily provide feedback via electronic survey. An electronic survey was emailed to participants, on a voluntary basis; responses were anonymized. Survey results were collected and analyzed using Google Forms. Results Twelve workshop participants consented to participate in the survey and seven completed the entire survey. Respondents were from multiple Canadian neurology residency programs, medical schools, and vascular neurology fellowship programs. Prior to the workshop, most respondents (71.4%) had little‐to‐no knowledge about interventional techniques. Only one respondent answered that their training program provides hands‐on neurointervention experience. Most respondents found the station on endovascular techniques for ischemic stroke to be the most helpful. Prior to the workshop, many respondents had not considered pursuing neurointerventional radiology training. At least one participant responded that they would more favorably consider pursuing neurointerventional radiology following the workshop. Conclusion Increasing neurology trainee exposure to neurointerventional radiology is essential for expanding the number of neurologists entering this field. Events at national and international conferences that provide hands‐on experience are one way to increase exposure. This workshop provided practical experience, particularly in endovascular therapy techniques. All participants had little to no exposure to neurointervention and all favorably rated the workshop. Based on this pilot project, further efforts are needed to incorporate neurointerventional radiology training into Canadian neurology training programs.