ENTRY: a European project to improve learning and reduce risks in urology
The innovative ENTRY (EuropeaN Training in uRology) project aims to improve urologists’ training and reduce risks for patients. Financed by a three-year European Erasmus+ fund, the project sees Humanitas University as lead partner in collaboration with the Spanish Fundacio Puigvert, a major hospital specialising in the treatment of urological pathologies and clinical research, and the Belgian Orsi Academy, an open and inclusive ecosystem for the adaptation of new technologies in clinical practice. The focus is transurethral bladder resection, i.e. the endoscopic removal of bladder tumours.
The aim of ENTRY is to innovate and modernise the training of urology apprentices by enabling them to practice the latest medical procedures and tools to reduce potential complications. Another important aim is to raise awareness about the need for a more uniformed training across Europe and to improve urology lecturers’ teaching and digital skills for distance learning. Humanitas University is responsible for the design and development together with the curricula partners and can rely on the teaching tools that the Urology Specialisation Schools can offer in a flexible and effective way. The University is also responsible for the implementation and testing of innovative simulators.
“The programme,” explains Professor Nicolò Maria Buffi Director of the School of Specialisation in Urology at Humanitas University, “consists of three learning steps: an e-learning platform where a selection of online courses and tutorials created by Humanitas University are available; a simulator in which the trainees can practice; and the third step is the development of some metrics according to the method of Professor Anthony Gallagher – Orsi Academy, who specialises in new learning methods. These metrics codify the intervention so that the learning time is kept short and potential complications are minimised’. At the end of the three learning phases, the trainee doctor will perform the surgery in the operating room according to a defined schedule and supported by a tutor, following the metrics that work as an ‘instruction booklet’. The project is innovative also because of its short length, as the training is planned to be completed within a few weeks only.
The next step will be validating the metrics and, at the end of 2022, a consensus meeting will be held in Barcelona using the qualitative Delphi method which allows collecting the opinions of a group of experts. It will be specifically specialists who will be asked to give their opinion for the validation of the instruction booklet. After that, within three years, the methodology on transurethral bladder resection is expected to be validated by 150 residents selected across Europe.
The Italian Society of Urology (SIU) organised live surgery from several Italian centres at its annual congress in May (SIU Live). SIU invited Dr. Alessandro Uleri, a third-year resident from the School of Specialisation in Urology at Humanitas University, who performed, as first operator in live surgery, an endoscopic bladder resection operation using the Tullium laser technique which allows a ‘mix’ of cutting and coagulation while minimising blood loss. Dr. Alessandro Uleri was under the supervision of Dr. Rodolfo Hurle, who is a member of the Operative Unit of Urology directed by Dr. Paolo Casale.
Entry is an ambitious programme that aims to develop uniform training and update courses for urologists across the EU.