Evaluating training course options of any kind can be challenging. There have been entire books and methodologies dedicated to it (see the Kirkpatrick Model for Course Evaluation). We are regularly asked questions related to the urodynamics training (UDS training) we provide and the UDS training provided by others. Typically, UDS training is provided by the equipment manufacturers, but there are other viable training options in the market.
There are five(5) critical things you should consider when thinking about urodynamics training. They are:
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Total Costs - Most of the time, individuals considering UDS training focus only on the “sticker price” of the course. However, this does not paint the full picture. For example, if you are required to travel to a high cost location for the training, the travel costs can be greater than the cost of the course. If the travel is going to take you or your team members out of the office for several days, then the opportunity cost of being out of the office also need to be considered. Additionally, if you are training more than one person there can be package deals available that change the sticker price of the course. For example we charge the same price for five people from one organization taking a course as we do for one person taking the course. Others often charge per attendee.
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Location - For UDS training you typically have the option to go to a central location for training, or have the trainers come to your location. There are pros and cons for both. If the training comes to you, it is more convenient and you often spend less on travel. However, you may also be distracted and have a problem with the logistics of hosting the training. If you travel to the training then you have to consider travel costs and the additional time out of the office to accommodate the travel.
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The science behind UDS - In our opinion, UDS training needs to spend considerable time covering the science behind urodynamics and the physiology of the bladder. Some training is almost exclusively focused on the equipment, the catheter, and the software. However, without the proper science and context, attendees can be left knowing how to operate a piece of equipment but have no understanding of what they are really doing and why they are doing it. If you receive the proper science and physiology training, then you will be much better prepared to deal with problems, to explain issues to patients, and to better communicate with your doctors and co-workers.
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Clinical application - Proper UDS training must include some type of clinical application. Much of the available UDS training involves testing on a “dummy”. This has some merit, but we find it quite lacking. The best training involves real patients in a real clinical setting. For example, in our training the skilled trainer will conduct UDS tests alongside one or multiple trainees similar to a med school clinical approach. The trainer will then have the trainee conduct the test while the trainer observes. After the combined trainer-trainee testing is complete, they will have a thorough debrief session. This provides for the best and deepest learning.
- Best practices and the proper protocol - To truly deliver quality training, there should be time spent explaining and discussing the proper protocol to use and other best practices. To be able to cover best practices, the trainer must have ample real-life experience within multiple different clinical settings. For a complete review of the proper protocols, a thorough explanation of each and every protocol step must be provided and discussed. Furthermore, time should also be allocated for the review of problem patients. Patients can vary widely and having some insight into how to deal with different types of patients is very useful. For example, how does one handle a paraplegic patient, or how does one handle patients with severe pelvic organ prolapse.
We hope this information is helpful in your evaluation of UDS training options available in the market. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact us at info@bhnco.com. If you'd like more information on our UDS training options, please click the button below. Also, feel free to let us know what you think is most important when considering UDS training by posting a comment at the bottom of this page.
