Multimedia Emergency Bedside Ultrasound Quality Assurance Feedback

Abstract

Clear feedback is important for teaching the technical and interpretive skills of emergency bedside ultrasound. Using screen capture software (Snapz Pro X, Ambrosia Software Inc.), we create multimedia feedback videos for our users still in the training phase. These self‐contained videos with voice‐over instruction are made using either the still images or digital video that users submit for quality assurance. The videos are simple to make and allow for clear, focused feedback and personalized instruction with each study. Users see their images and visual feedback, and hear real‐time audio instruction. This allows us to easily reinforce positive technique and interpretation, provide constructive comments, and review areas for improvement. The feedback videos are posted on a server, and links are emailed to users when new studies are reviewed. Users can review studies at their convenience with a minimal time commitment. Since switching from written to multimedia feedback, we have seen a marked improvement in our users’ ultrasound skills and enthusiasm toward ultrasound. The following are examples of reviewed studies: http://www.emedsonar.com/qa/video_review/ziggy_fast_091408.mov. http://www.emedsonar.com/qa/video_review/110308/ziggy_jd_gb_nm_092408.mov. http://www.emedsonar.com/qa/video_review/110308/wiepert_thundiyil_ao_cp_092508.mov.