Tele-education in Ultrasound Training

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The study aims to assess the impact of remote guidance in ultrasound training for medical professionals new to abdominal ultrasound. It involves 40 participants, divided into two groups of 20 each - a self-study group and a remote learning group. Participants include licensed doctors with no prior training in abdominal ultrasound, who are over 18 years old and have consented to participate.

Detailed Description
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The study's design includes pre-surveys, random assignment, ultrasound training through educational videos, and distinct practice methods for each group - one with remote guidance and the other with traditional, in-person assistance. The effectiveness of training will be evaluated based on scores from evaluation forms, time taken for ultrasound imaging, frequency of requesting help, and surveys (NASA-Task Load Index, System Usability Scale, and a Self-confidence pre/post survey). Statistical analysis will be conducted using R software, employing tests such as the student t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. This research is anticipated to provide valuable insights into the efficacy of remote guidance in ultrasound education, potentially influencing future medical training methodologies.

Official Title
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Feasibility of Tele-education in Ultrasound Training: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

Conditions
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Telemedicine, Ultrasonography, Education, Medical, Continuing

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Head-Mounted Display (HMD) to communicate with a supervisor remotely


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Licensed doctor Participants who didn't receive prior training in abdominal ultrasound > 18 years old Exclusion Criteria: - Individuals who do not agree to participate in the study

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

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Interventional Clinical Trial, Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control Group (Traditional Training)<br>This arm of the study involves participants who will engage in a traditional learning process. After an initial pre-survey, they will start the ultrasound training phase. During this phase, participants will utilize pre-made educational videos for learning. Then participants will perform an ultrasound on an abdominal ultrasound phantom using a handout based on the pre-made video. When assistance is needed, participants will physically move to a different location to seek help from a supervisor. This face-to-face interaction allows for direct guidance and feedback. After completing the training sessions, participants will take a post-survey, which includes NASA-TLX, System Usability Scale (SUS), and a self-confidence assessment, to evaluate the training experience and measure the perceived workload, system usability, and confidence level changes due to the training. | |
| Experimental: Experimental Group (Remote Training)<br>In this arm, participants will undergo a remote learning process. Similar to the control group, they begin with a pre-survey followed by the training phase using the same educational videos. Participants view a handout on a head-mounted display(HMD) and perform an ultrasound on an abdominal ultrasound phantom. The key difference is that when they require assistance, they will use a HMD to communicate with a supervisor remotely. This allows the supervisor to provide guidance without being physically present, utilizing the HMD and potentially other remote communication tools for real-time interaction. The training phase is intended to mimic the in-person guidance as closely as possible through technological means. Following the training, the participants will also complete the same post-survey as the control group to assess the impact of remote training on their learning experience. | Device: Head-Mounted Display (HMD) to communicate with a supervisor remotely<br>* Participants in the experimental group are oriented on using the education platform and communicating with the supervisor through an HMD for about 5 minutes. They then perform and save their ultrasound imaging. If they require assistance, they request help verbally through the HMD's communication system. The supervisor remotely observes and immediately assists upon request, utilizing the HMD and a 360-degree camera.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Evaluation Scores | The composite scores from the evaluation forms will be the primary measure of effectiveness. These scores will be analyzed and compared using statistical tests such as the student t-test or the Wilcoxon rank sum test to determine the level of ultrasound skill acquisition between the two groups. | During the education,an average of 30min | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ultrasound Imaging Duration | The time taken by participants from the moment they pick up the probe to begin the first image until they press the 'End Exam' button to save the final ultrasound image will be recorded and analyzed. This measure assesses efficiency and speed of learning, with comparison between groups using the student t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. | During the education,an average of 30min | 
| Number of Assistance Requests | The frequency with which participants request help from the supervisor will also be tracked. This measure will help to understand the level of independence and confidence during the ultrasound procedure, as well as to determine if the time taken for the task is affected by these requests. | During the education, an average of 30min |