Tele-Ultrasound: VIrtual Hands-on Education for Novice Users

University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Education; Virtual; Ultrasound

Treatments: Combination Product: Butterfly handheld ultrasound machine

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05013476

21-3964

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is intended to perform a comparative analysis of novice ultrasound users when taught in person versus virtually. This study aims to show that students will not demonstrate a statistical difference in scores learning in in a virtual environment, guided by professionals, when compared to students learning ultrasound in a traditional, in-person format. Utilizing a Butterfly ultrasound machine, a hand held personal ultrasound device, students wil be guided through a FAST (Focused assessment with sonography in trauma) examination and imaging of the carpal tunnel using modules and instructor aid. The FAST (Focused assessment with sonography in trauma) exam images the heart and abdomen for free flowing blood. The carpal tunnel is a region in the wrist that houses the tendons for finger movement. Participants will be assessed on the ability to identify key regions, anatomical landmarks and confidence in utilize the ultrasound machine.

Full description

This project intends to adapt previous research ("Innovations with tele-ultrasound in education sonography: the use of tele-ultrasound to train novice scanners") to assess the effectiveness of tele-education using the Butterfly handheld ultrasound device when compared to in person education imaging devices, learning modules and assessments will be kept constant across experimental groups. This experiment aims to adapt the current ultrasound modules used by the University of Colorado Anschutz school of Medicine and Modern Human Anatomy program to formulate in depth modules that outline the following: Carpal Tunnel (wrist), Brachial Plexus (shoulder), and FAST "Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma". Additionally, participants will be provided an orientation module that will be completed prior to the live session. Participants will be divided into either the in-person group or virtual group and participate in a live session where participants go through each module with a trained instructor. Participants will be asked to complete a pre/post assessment to determine prior knowledge and the level of learning that took place during the session as well as participant satisfaction and confidence levels.

Enrollment: 49 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• First year medical students enrolled at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus with minimal previous ultrasound experience.
• First year graduate students enrolled in the Modern Human Anatomy program (MHA) at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus with minimal previous ultrasound experience.

Exclusion criteria

• individuals younger than the age of 18.
• individuals not enrolled in the medical school or Modern Human Anatomy program (MHA) programs at Anschutz Medical Campus
• Individuals with greater than minimal ultrasound experience.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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49 participants in 2 patient groups

In-Person ultrasound participants

Active Comparator group

Description:

In-Person ultrasound participant's will receive ultrasound training that is guided by online modules (identical to virtual) with trained faculty in the same room with a ration of 4 students to 1 instructor.

Treatment:

Combination Product: Butterfly handheld ultrasound machine

Virtual ultrasound participants

Active Comparator group

Description:

Virtual ultrasound participants will receive ultrasound training that is guided by online modules (identical to in-person) with trained faculty present in a private zoom classroom. Faculty will be rotating between breakout rooms and will share the same ratio of participants to staff.

Treatment:

Combination Product: Butterfly handheld ultrasound machine