Boston Scientific launches online training portal for interventional cardiology

Boston Scientific, a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices, has launched the EDUCARE Virtual Training Institute (VTI) for interventional cardiology, a non-commercial e-learning platform for procedural training of physicians, technicians and nurses from more than 100 countries.

The launch of the educational portal for interventional cardiology expands the company’s current offerings of endoscopy, cardiac rhythm management, urology and neuromodulation through the VTI.

Through the VTI, interventional cardiologists can now access detailed information on medical conditions and treatments, ranging from the more common ailments to those that are complex or niche. Enabling a therapy-focused peer-to-peer learning exchange, the physician engagement platform will give physicians across the globe, irrespective of their level of experience, equal opportunity to showcase their best work and share and receive feedback.

“Boston Scientific is dedicated to providing basic and advanced procedural training focused on minimally invasive therapies to help healthcare professionals deliver exceptional patient care,” said Dr. Amit Shanker, Chief Medical Officer for Boston Scientific Strategic Medical Affairs, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA).

Dr. Shanker also said that the Boston Scientific’s comprehensive suite of educational training programs in the cutting edge e-platform removes geographic barriers. It is an effective tool to empower education and health care providers, and improve patient outcomes, he further said.

The launch of the interventional cardiology suite on the VTI marks the latest addition to the VTI family. Boston Scientific first launched Interventional Gastroenterology/Hepatobiliary on the VTI in December 2015, followed by Cardiac Electrophysiology/Rhythm Management, Urology and Neuromodulation. The platform hosts a range of content, such as procedural videos and animations; case videos and presentations; product how-to-use-and-service videos; therapy and disease focused presentations; medical news highlights; clinical information and training events.

“We are uniquely positioned to offer comprehensive solutions for interventional cardiologists to handle complex percutaneous coronary interventions including (but not limited to) chronic total occlusions (CTO), bifurcation, and small vessel disease. This also includes our marquis structural heart technologies. The VTI will help facilitate this process and provide patients with access to hitherto unavailable therapies,” added Dr. Shanker.

Boston Scientific has nine Institutes for Advancing Science (IAS) globally that provide hands-on training in new technologies and emerging therapies. It trained approximately 16,000 healthcare professionals in the AMEA region in 2016. The VTI complements the face-to-face training programs run in the Boston Scientific IAS facilities around the world.

The VTI is endorsed by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) in the United States. Representing nearly 5,000 interventional cardiologists and catheterization laboratory professionals in over 70 countries, SCAI’s mission is to lead the global interventional cardiovascular community through education, advocacy, research, and quality patient care.

The VTI will also create a comprehensive and holistic knowledge resource and repository for physicians to train other allied healthcare professionals such as technicians, nurses and pharmacists, as well as non-HCP members of their team and for patient education.

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Category: Features, Technology & Devices