"Scaling Up Ultrasound Education Without Scaling Up Tutors: A Randomized Controlled Equivalence Trial of Self-Directed Learning for Pulmonary Pathology Recognition"
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 385
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Anatomical Structure Recognition Accuracy
研究概览
简要总结
This study compared two ways of teaching medical students how to recognize lung conditions using ultrasound images.
All participants were third-year medical students taking part in a structured ultrasound training session at the University of Turin. Students were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group learned lung ultrasound pathology recognition with direct guidance from a tutor. The other group used a self-directed digital learning tool called MEDQUIZ, which allowed students to review clinical cases and ultrasound videos independently.
The main goal of the study was to determine whether self-directed learning was equivalent to tutor-guided instruction for recognizing pulmonary ultrasound findings. Students completed ultrasound image-based assessments before and after the training. The assessments evaluated their ability to recognize anatomical structures, distinguish normal from abnormal findings, and identify specific lung conditions such as pneumonia, pleural effusion, interstitial syndrome, and pneumothorax.
The study also evaluated student satisfaction with the learning experience.
详细描述
This was a single-center, randomized, controlled equivalence trial conducted at the SimTO Advanced Medical Simulation Center, University of Turin, Italy. The study included third-year medical students enrolled in the curricular "Approach to Ultrasound" internship.
Before the in-person training session, all students completed online instructional materials on thoracic and abdominal ultrasound. During the internship, students participated in a structured two-hour ultrasound training session composed of four 30-minute stations. The stations included hands-on scanning of healthy volunteers and case-based pathology recognition activities.
At the thoracic pathology station, students were randomly assigned to either tutor-guided learning or self-directed learning. In the tutor-guided group, students worked through pulmonary ultrasound cases with direct supervision, clinical reasoning guidance, and feedback from a tutor. In the self-directed learning group, students used MEDQUIZ, a purpose-built digital learning tool that presented clinical cases, patient information, and lung ultrasound video clips in an interactive format.
The primary outcomes were based on pre-training and post-training assessments using ultrasound video cases. Students were assessed on three levels of competency: recognition of the anatomical structure shown in the ultrasound clip, classification of the finding as physiological or pathological, and identification of the specific pulmonary condition when a pathological finding was present. An overall case resolution score was also calculated.
Secondary outcomes included student satisfaction with the simulation-based learning experience, assessed at the end of the internship.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Other
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
盲法说明
Participants could not be masked because they were aware of whether they received tutor-guided instruction or used the self-directed learning tool. Primary outcome assessment was computer-based and automatically recorded by EcoQuiz Med, reducing the possibility of assessor bias. Data analysis was performed using exported coded datasets.
入排标准
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Third-year medical students enrolled in the "Approach to Ultrasound" curricular internship at the University of Turin
- •Limited or no prior ultrasound experience
- •No previous formal specialized ultrasound training
- •Provision of informed consent for data collection
排除标准
- •Inability to attend the complete ultrasound training session and both assessment sessions
- •Physical or medical conditions limiting participation in hands-on ultrasound practice
- •Refusal to provide informed consent for data collection
结局指标
主要结局
Anatomical Structure Recognition Accuracy
时间窗: Immediately before and immediately after the 3-hour ultrasound training session
Percentage of pulmonary ultrasound cases in which participants correctly identified the anatomical structure shown in the ultrasound video clip.
Physiological Versus Pathological Discrimination Accuracy
时间窗: Immediately before and immediately after the 3-hour ultrasound training session
Percentage of pulmonary ultrasound cases in which participants correctly classified the ultrasound finding as physiological or pathological.
Pulmonary Pathology Identification Accuracy
时间窗: Immediately before and immediately after the 3-hour ultrasound training session
Percentage of pathological pulmonary ultrasound cases in which participants correctly identified the specific pulmonary condition shown in the ultrasound video clip, including pneumonia or consolidation, interstitial syndrome, pleural effusion, or pneumothorax.
Overall Pulmonary Ultrasound Case Resolution Score
时间窗: Immediately before and immediately after the 3-hour ultrasound training session
Percentage of pulmonary ultrasound cases correctly resolved with the maximum score. A case was considered correctly resolved when the participant correctly identified the anatomical structure, correctly classified the finding as physiological or pathological, and, where applicable, correctly identified the specific pulmonary pathology.
次要结局
- Student Satisfaction With the Simulation Experience(Immediately after the 3-hour ultrasound training session)
研究者
Samuel Agostino
Research Technician, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin
University of Turin, Italy