Clinical trial NCT03105544: Improving Detection of Fetuses at Risk - Who Needs Systematic Training?
Official title: Improving Detection of Fetuses at Risk - Who Needs Systematic Training?
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Improving Obstetric Ultrasound Skills
Keywords: simulation-based training
obstetric ultrasound
intrauterine growth restriction
ultrasound simulation
Lead sponsor: Copenhagen Academy for Medical Education and Simulation
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2017-04-10
Enrollment: 70
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: OTHER

Brief summary: Detection of growth restricted fetuses relies primarily on abdominal ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. Many clinicians, however, have not received systematic training and may therefore perform inadequately. We wish to examine, whether systematic, simulation-based training can improve diagnostic accuracy of estimated fetal weight by ultrasound at different levels of clinical experience.

Detailed description: Participants are physicians working at obstetric departments. Participant characteristics (age, experience in years and number of monthly scans) are recorded. Participants perform two abdominal growth scans prior to randomization and estimated fetal weight is compared to birth weight. Mean absolute percentage error is calculated as a measure of diagnostic accuracy.

Participants are then randomized to either control (no intervention) or intervention. The latter group receives training on the Metaphor Scantrainer trans abdominal ultrasound simulator until they pass a previously validated test. After completing the training the participants use a mannikin to practice systematic approach and 'knobology'.

All participants then perform another two growth scans. Diagnostic accuracy before and after the intervention or control period is compared.

We wish to examine the effect of systematic training on the diagnostic accuracy of estimated fetal weight by ultrasound across different levels of clinical experience.

If an effect can be found in the inexperienced participants, simulation-based training in obstetric ultrasound could be implemented as a part of basic obstetric training and/or as a means of maintaining skills.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* proficiency in the Danish language
* no prior experience with obstetric ultrasound simulation
* doctors who work within the field of gynecology and obstetrics

Exclusion Criteria:

* lack of proficiency in the Danish language
* prior experience with obstetric ultrasound simulation

Primary outcomes:
measure: Diagnostic accuracy of estimated fetal weight by ultrasound.
timeFrame: 1 month
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Ratings of ultrasound images
timeFrame: 1 month
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Copenhagen
country: Denmark
facility: Copenhagen University Hospital
city: Hillerød
country: Denmark
facility: Departments of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hillerød Hospital
Study officials:
affiliation: Copenhagen University Hospital at Herlev
name: Ann Tabor, DMSc
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References: