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Karger Publishers, Respiration, 1(100), p. 34-43, 2021

DOI: 10.1159/000509298

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Training Thoracic Ultrasound Skills: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Simulation-Based Training versus Training on Healthy Volunteers

This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.
This paper was not found in any repository, but could be made available legally by the author.

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Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> As ultrasound becomes more accessible, the use of point-of-care ultrasound examinations performed by clinicians has increased. Sufficient theoretical and practical skills are prerequisites to integrate thoracic ultrasound into a clinical setting and to use it as supplement in the clinical decision-making. Recommendations on how to educate and train clinicians for these ultrasound examinations are debated, and simulation-based training may improve clinical performance. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The aim of this study was to explore the effect of simulation-based training in thoracic ultrasound compared to training on healthy volunteers. <b><i>Method:</i></b> A total of 66 physicians with no previous experience in thoracic ultrasound completed a training program and assessment of competences from November 2018 to May 2019. After a theoretical session in ultrasound physics, sonoanatomy, and thoracic ultrasound, the physicians were randomized into one of three groups for practical training: (1) simulation-based training, (2) training on a healthy volunteer, or (3) no training (control group). Primary outcome was difference in the clinical performance score after the training period. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Using a multiple comparison, ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiplicity, there was no statistical significant difference between the two trained groups’ performance score: 45.1 points versus 41.9 points (minimum 17 points, maximum 68 points; <i>p</i> = 0.38). The simulation-based training group scored significantly higher than the control group without hands-on training, 36.7 points (<i>p</i> = 0.009). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The use of simulation-based training in thoracic ultrasound does not improve the clinical performance score compared to conventional training on healthy volunteers. As focused, thoracic ultrasound is a relatively uncomplicated practical procedure when taught; focus should mainly be on the theoretical part and the supervised clinical training in a curriculum. However, simulation can be used instead or as an add-on to training on simulated patients.