
pmid: 37454353
pmc: PMC11147821
Abstract Purpose: To analyze the learning curves of ultrasound novices in fetal echocardiography during structured simulation-based ultrasound training (SIM-UT) including a virtual, randomly moving fetus. Methods: 11 medical students with minimal (<10h) prior obstetric ultrasound experience underwent 12 hours of structured fetal echo SIM-UT in individual hands-on sessions during a 6-week training program. Their learning progress was assessed with standardized tests after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of SIM-UT. Participants were asked to obtain 11 fetal echo standard planes (in accordance with ISUOG and AHA guidelines) as quickly as possible. All tests were carried out under real life examination-like conditions on a healthy, randomly moving fetus. Subsequently, we analyzed the rate of correctly obtained images and the total time to completion (TTC). As reference groups, 10 Ob/Gyn physicians (median of 750 previously performed Ob/Gyn scans) and 10 fetal echo experts (median of 15000 previously performed Ob/Gyn scans) were examined with the same standardized tests. Results: The students showed a consistent and steady improvement of their ultrasound performance during the training program. After 2 weeks, they were able to obtain >95% of the standard planes correctly. After 6 weeks, they were significantly faster than the physician group (p<0.001) and no longer significantly slower than the expert group (p=0.944). Conclusion: SIM-UT is highly effective to learn fetal echocardiography. Regarding the acquisition of the AHA/ISUOG fetal echo standard planes, the students were able to reach the same skill level as the expert group within six weeks.
Female [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Students, Medical [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Prospective Studies [MeSH] ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal [MeSH] ; Obstetrics/education [MeSH] ; Male [MeSH] ; Congenital heart disease ; Echocardiography [MeSH] ; Learning Curve [MeSH] ; Maternal-Fetal Medicine ; Simulation-based ultrasound training ; Simulation Training/methods [MeSH] ; Prenatal detection rate ; Ultrasound didactics ; Clinical Competence [MeSH] ; Ultrasound simulation training ; Pregnancy [MeSH] ; Fetal echocardiography, Adult, Male, ddc:610, Students, Medical, Fetal echocardiography, Ultrasound simulation training, 610, Ultrasonography, Prenatal, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Prenatal detection rate, Obstetrics, Echocardiography, Pregnancy, Humans, Simulation-based ultrasound training, Female, Prospective Studies, Clinical Competence, Ultrasound didactics, Simulation Training, Learning Curve, Congenital heart disease
Female [MeSH] ; Adult [MeSH] ; Students, Medical [MeSH] ; Humans [MeSH] ; Prospective Studies [MeSH] ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal [MeSH] ; Obstetrics/education [MeSH] ; Male [MeSH] ; Congenital heart disease ; Echocardiography [MeSH] ; Learning Curve [MeSH] ; Maternal-Fetal Medicine ; Simulation-based ultrasound training ; Simulation Training/methods [MeSH] ; Prenatal detection rate ; Ultrasound didactics ; Clinical Competence [MeSH] ; Ultrasound simulation training ; Pregnancy [MeSH] ; Fetal echocardiography, Adult, Male, ddc:610, Students, Medical, Fetal echocardiography, Ultrasound simulation training, 610, Ultrasonography, Prenatal, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Prenatal detection rate, Obstetrics, Echocardiography, Pregnancy, Humans, Simulation-based ultrasound training, Female, Prospective Studies, Clinical Competence, Ultrasound didactics, Simulation Training, Learning Curve, Congenital heart disease
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
