Equivalence Study Comparing a Cost-Effective PC-Based Ultrasound Training Tool to Traditional Simulators in Third-Year Medical Students

University of Turin

Status: Completed

Conditions: Medical Training; Medical Student; Simulation Based Learning; Ultrasound

Treatments: Device: PC-Based Ultrasound Training Tool; Device: Traditional Ultrasound Simulator (VausSim)

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06775899

219864

Details and patient eligibility

About

Brief Summary:

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a cost-effective, PC-based ultrasound training tool is as effective as a traditional, medium-cost ultrasound simulator for teaching third-year medical students thoracic and abdominal ultrasound skills. This study focuses on improving access to high-quality ultrasound training in educational settings with limited resources. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does the PC-based tool help participants improve their ability to optimize ultrasound images in a way comparable to the traditional simulator?
2. Can participants using the PC-based tool identify and interpret pathological conditions with the same accuracy as those using the traditional simulator?

Participants are third-year medical students enrolled in a structured internship. They will:

1. Watch educational videos covering key concepts in thoracic and abdominal ultrasound imaging.
2. Rotate through training stations where they will practice using either the PC-based tool or the traditional simulator.
3. Perform hands-on exercises with healthy volunteers to practice image acquisition and recognition of anatomical structures.
4. Complete pre- and post-training assessments to measure their progress in skills such as image optimization and identifying pathological conditions.

This study aims to explore whether a low-cost digital solution can provide equal educational value, offering a practical alternative to traditional simulators in resource-limited settings.

Enrollment: 408 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Third-year medical students enrolled in the "Approach to Ultrasound" internship.
• Participants who have completed the preliminary blended learning videos on thoracic and abdominal ultrasound techniques.
• Participants with or without prior minimal experience in using an ultrasound probe, provided they have not undergone formal specialized ultrasound training.

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to attend all training sessions and assessments as per the study schedule.
• Physical or medical conditions that limit the ability to perform hands-on ultrasound practice (e.g., musculoskeletal injuries).
• Refusal to provide informed consent.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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408 participants in 2 patient groups

Simulator Thoracic and Abdominal

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive ultrasound training using a traditional, medium-cost ultrasound simulator (VausSim). This simulator allows students to practice image acquisition and pathology recognition in a controlled environment. Training will also include hands-on practice with healthy volunteers. The performance of students in this group will be compared to those using the PC-based tool to determine if both methods produce similar learning outcomes.

Treatment:

Device: Traditional Ultrasound Simulator (VausSim)

PC-based tool

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this group will receive ultrasound training using an interactive PC-based tool. This tool provides real ultrasound images and videos to simulate pathology recognition and image optimization. Students will rotate through different training stations, including hands-on practice with healthy volunteers. The goal is to assess whether this low-cost digital tool is as effective as a traditional ultrasound simulator for teaching ultrasound skills.

Treatment:

Device: PC-Based Ultrasound Training Tool