Feasibility of Tele-education in Ultrasound Training: a Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study

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.

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.