Improving Search Strategy for Identifying Urgent Conditions on the Chest X-ray

Université de Montréal

Status and phase: Unknown; Phase 3

Conditions: Using Expert Visual Search Strategy to Train Students to Read the Chest X-ray

Treatments: Other: access to a library of chest x-rays without search strategy; Other: training in visual search strategy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01883570

CPER-11-120-D(1)

Details and patient eligibility

About

Currently, teaching X-ray interpretation to medical students is not standardized, and is generally not very effective.

Objective: The goal of our study is to evaluate whether directly teaching an expert search strategy for x-ray interpretation to 3d year medical students is effective.

Methods:

• An expert's visual search strategy was recorded using a gaze-tracking device. The search strategy was then reproduced using a dynamic cursor moving across the corresponding chest x-ray, and incorporated into a teaching program accessible via the internet.
• Participants are 3rd year medical students who will be randomized into two groups. The experimental group will have access to the teaching program as described. The control group will have access to the same x-rays but not the expert's search strategy.
• At the end of the study period the investigators will collect performance data (the participants' accuracy at reading a series of chest x-rays) and process data (using gaze-tracking to evaluate the participants' search strategies); the experimental and control groups will be compared.

Expected results:

The investigators expect the group trained in expert search strategy to show improved accuracy at reading chest x-rays, and an improvement in their visual search strategy

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 3rd year medical students enrolled in medicine or surgery rotations during the planned study period

Trial design

40 participants in 2 patient groups

trained visual search strategy

Experimental group

Description:

An expert's visual search strategy for reading the chest x-ray was recorded using a gaze tracking device. This strategy was reproduced using a dynamic cursor and will be made available to participants in the experimental group using an interactive website.

Treatment:

Other: training in visual search strategy

not trained in visual search strategy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will learn to read chest x-rays by having access to a library of chest x-rays identical to the one used by the experimental arm, but without the search strategy.

Treatment:

Other: access to a library of chest x-rays without search strategy