TEE Training for Anaesthesiologists

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Cardiac
• Interventions: Other: Sequence of teaching (Lecture first followed by Simulation); Other: Sequence of teaching (Simulation first followed by Lecture)

• Registration Number: NCT04024982
• Lead Sponsor: National University of Singapore

Brief Summary

This study aims to find out the best sequence of teaching and learning events (i.e. first lecture and then simulated training or first simulated training and then lecture) in the acquisition of knowledge on Transoesophageal Echocardiography among trainee and specialist anaesthesiologists.

Detailed Description

Basic Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) is an essential skill in the armamentarium of an anaesthesiologist. Currently, majority of the TEE teaching is being done in the form of didactic lectures with only a few teaching centres offering simulation. TEE skill acquisition includes both technical and cognitive skills. Most of the studies done in TEE teaching have concluded that TEE simulation is an essential part of TEE skill training. The study team wanted to find out what is the best sequence of teaching to achieve the maximum skill acquisition in TEE.

In National University Hospital, Singapore, the Cardiac subdivision of anaesthesia specialists are accredited in TEE (American or European exams) and perform independent decision making in cardiac surgical theatres while the surgery is on-goingto facilitate dynamic decision making such as adequacy of valve repair, global LV function and emerging complications if any. The study team realised that TEE skills are also required for decisions beyond the cardiac surgical theaters where on the spot critical decisions making is required eg: in polytrauma and sudden unexplained hypotension or hypoxia in non-cardiac or ICU patients.

There are existing induction modules and prior teaching avenues in the department of anaesthesia such as the Cardiac Anaesthesia Simulation Training (CAST) module targeted at junior trainee's level. With initiative to equip every practicing anaesthesiologist with the vital skill of TEE image acquisition, the department of anaesthesia is launching a teaching program that is an in house training session. The study team aims to understand through this study the ideal sequence of teaching intervention to facilitate optimal learning and retention.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-02-22
• Primary Completion: 2018-11-17
• Study Completion: 2018-11-17
• Status Verified: 2019-07
• Study First Submitted: 2019-07-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-07-17
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-07-17
• Study First Posted: 2019-07-18
• Last Update Posted: 2019-07-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 43

Inclusion Criteria

• All anaesthesia doctors in Singapore with no prior experience in TEE.

Exclusion Criteria

• All anaesthesia doctors in Singapore with prior experience in TEE.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Lecture followed by Simulation	Sequence of teaching (Lecture first followed by Simulation)	Subjects will undergo the lecture on TEE first followed by the simulation session.
Simulation followed by Lecture	Sequence of teaching (Simulation first followed by Lecture)	Subjects will undergo the TEE simulation first followed by the lecture.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Knowledge and skill increment between both groups	Within an hour of completion of both lecture and simulation sessions.	After the end of both lecture and simulation session, participants will be asked to demonstrate skill of acquisition of 11 basic views on TEE simulator within stipulated time, and will be scored by 2 independent raters.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Demographic variations in knowledge and skill acquisition	Within an hour of completion of both lecture and simulation sessions.	Identify and compare whether there are demographic variations in knowledge and skill acquisition in TEE among anaesthesiologists within each sequence of teaching and learning (i.e. lecture followed by simulation training and simulation training followed by lecture). This will be done through the administration of 30-question MCQ relating to TEE safety, probe manipulation and basic views in TEE, and a technical skill test.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National University Health System; 🇸🇬 Singapore, Singapore