Comparison of Web- Versus Classroom-based Basic Ultrasound and Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma (EFAST) Training in Two European Hospitals

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Study Objective: Training physicians in new skills via classroom-based teaching has inherent costs and time constraints. We sought to evaluate whether web-based didactics result in similar knowledge improvement and retention of basic ultrasound principles and the EFAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) compared with the traditional method. Methods: Physicians from two German emergency departments were randomized into a classroom group with traditional lectures and a web group that watched narrated lectures online. All participants completed a pre- and post-test, and a second post-test eight weeks later. Both groups underwent hands-on training after the first post-test. A control group completed the two initial tests without didactic intervention.

Official Title
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Comparison of Web- Versus Classroom-based Basic Ultrasound and EFAST Training in Two European Hospitals

Conditions
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Learning

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Didactic training in basic ultrasound and the EFAST


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Physicians currently practicing in a German emergency department Age ≥ 18 years Exclusion Criteria: Inability to participate in all aspects of the study prior to study begin Control group: Subjects who did not complete the pre-test

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Class<br> | Other: Didactic training in basic ultrasound and the EFAST<br>* Physicians in the classroom group (class) listened to traditional lectures, while the web group (web) watched narrated lectures online. All participants completed a pre- and post-test, and a second post-test eight weeks later. Both groups underwent hands-on training after the first post-test.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Web<br> | Other: Didactic training in basic ultrasound and the EFAST<br>* Physicians in the classroom group (class) listened to traditional lectures, while the web group (web) watched narrated lectures online. All participants completed a pre- and post-test, and a second post-test eight weeks later. Both groups underwent hands-on training after the first post-test.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mean test scores by didactic group for three consecutive multiple choice tests |  | November 2008 - February 2009 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Participant satisfaction with training and reported comfort with ultrasound use after training |  | December 2008 - February 2009 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Ultrasound education, Blended learning, Distance education, Trauma ultrasound, FAST