Assessment of a Web-Based Simulation in Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Views (Web-SimTEE)

University Health Network, Toronto

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Education; Training

Treatments: Other: Web-base simulator; Other: No web-base simulator

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03262532

REB 15-9547

Details and patient eligibility

About

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is often used by anesthesiologists during cardiac surgery, as a monitoring tool in non-cardiac surgery, and as a point of care diagnostic tool in the intensive care unit (ICU). Furthermore, TEE is becoming a core skill in many specialties to facilitate focused cardiovascular assessment in hemodynamically compromised patients in various settings. Educators must determine how to best instruct current and future trainees to achieve clinical competence in TEE within a time limited and constantly expanding medical curriculum.

In this study the investigators will evaluate a new online TEE Simulation module as a learning tool to accelerate and enhance traditional clinical teaching. This project will evaluate a new online TEE Simulation module that replicates the actions required to adjust TEE probe position and the ultrasound plane in relation to a 3D heart model.

The investigators hypothesize that experience with the online TEE simulation module will improve the ability of trainees to independently perform TEE probe manipulations necessary to obtain standard TEE views. The proposed study will answer this question by measuring the performance of trainees in obtaining 10 of the 25 standard TEE views using the Vimedix mannequin-based ultrasonography simulator following an hour of review of the online TEE Simulation module.

The educational benefit of the Web-based TEE simulation module, will be evaluated by 20 novices randomly assigned to two groups, a control group of 10 subjects without exposure to the Web-based simulation, and an experimental group of 10 subjects with exposure to the Web-based simulation. Both groups will be assessed on their performance in attaining the 10 standard TEE views with the Vimedix simulator.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Residents or fellows in anesthesia, cardiology and critical care enrolled at the Toronto General Hospital

Exclusion criteria

• Residents or fellows in anesthesia, cardiology and critical care with prior experience with TEE probe manipulation

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Experimental

Description:

Learning TEE manipulation with a Web-based TEE simulation module

Treatment:

Other: Web-base simulator

Control

Description:

Learning a TEE manipulation without the Web-based TEE simulation

Treatment:

Other: No web-base simulator