Impact of simulator-based training on acquisition of transthoracic echocardiography skills in medical students
Jöerg Ender, Conrad Hempel, Edwin Turton, Elham Hasheminejad, Carmine Bevilacqua, Gunther Hempel, Daisy Rotzoll
Abstract
<br><b>Introduction:</b> Due to the expanding role of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in modern medicine, medical schools rapidly include ultrasound training in their curriculum. The objective of this study was to compare simulator-based training along with classical teaching, using human models, to impart focused transthoracic echocardiography examination. <b>Subject and Methods:</b> A total of 22 medical students, with no former transthoracic echocardiography training, undertook a 90-min e-learning module, dealing with focused echocardiography and important echocardiographic pathologies. Subsequently, they had to complete a multiple-choice-questioner, followed by a 120-min practical training session either on the Heartworks™, (Cardiff, UK) and the CAE Vimedix<sup>®</sup>, (Québec, Canada) simulator (<i>n</i> = 10) or on a live human model (<i>n</i> = 12). Finally, both groups had to complete a post-test consisting of ten video-based multiple-choice-questions and a time-based, focused echocardiography examination on another human model. Two blinded expert observers scored each acquired loop which recorded 2 s of each standard view. Statistical analysis was performed with SPPS 24 (SPSS™ 24, IBM, USA) using the Mann-Whitney-Test to compare both groups. <b>Results:</b> Analysis of measurable outcome skills showed no significant difference between transthoracic echocardiography training on human models and high-fidelity simulators for undergraduate medical students. <b>Conclusions:</b> Both teaching methods are effective and lead to the intended level of knowledge and skills.<br>