Self-learning of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound - Can medical students teach themselves?

Lior Fuchs,Yuval Mizrakli,David Gilad,Sergio Kobal,Ori Galante,Re’Em Sadeh,Baiying Lei

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0204087

Abstract

BackgroundPoint-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is a rapidly evolving discipline that aims to train non-cardiologists, non-radiologists clinicians in performing bedside ultrasound to guide clinical decision. Training of PoCUS is challenging, time-consuming and requires large amount of resources. The objective of our study was to evaluate if this training process can be simplified by allowing medical students self-train themselves with a web-based cardiac ultrasound software.MethodsA prospective, single blinded, cohort study, comparing performance of 29 medical students in performing a six-minutes cardiac ultrasound exam. Students were divided into two groups: self-learning group, using a combination of E-learning software and self-practice using pocket ultrasound device compared to formal, frontal cardiac ultrasound course.ResultsAll 29 students completed their designated courses and performed the six-minutes exam: 20 students participated in the frontal cardiac ultrasound course and 9 completed the self-learning course. The median (Q1,Q3) test score for the self-learning group was higher than the frontal course group score, 18 (15,19) versus 15 (12,19.5), respectively. Nevertheless, no statistically significant difference was found between the two study groups (p = 0.478). All students in the self-learning course group (9/9, 100%) and 16 (16/20, 80%) of students in the frontal ultrasound course group obtained correct alignment of the parasternal long axis view (p = 0.280).ConclusionsSelf-learning students combining E-learning software with self-practice cardiac ultrasound were as good as students who received a validated, bedside, frontal cardiac ultrasound course. Our findings suggest that independent cardiac ultrasound learning, combining utilization of E–learning software and self-practice, is feasible. Self-E- learning of cardiac ultrasound may serve as an important, cost-effective adjunct to heavily resource consuming traditional teaching.

Highlights

Students were divided into two groups: self-learning group, using a combination of E-learning software and self-practice using pocket ultrasound device compared to formal, frontal cardiac ultrasound course
Self-learning students combining E-learning software with self-practice cardiac ultrasound were as good as students who received a validated, bedside, frontal cardiac ultrasound course
We are entering new era in bedside physical examination and in medical education where cardiac ultrasound performed at the bedside by handheld and pocked ultrasound devices (PUDs) complement physical examination and improves bedside point of care diagnostic skills [9,10,11,12,13,14]

Summary

Introduction

We are entering new era in bedside physical examination and in medical education where cardiac ultrasound performed at the bedside by handheld and pocked ultrasound devices (PUDs) complement physical examination and improves bedside point of care diagnostic skills [9,10,11,12,13,14]. Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is a new promising skill that is revolutionizing bedside physical examination [15]. Medical school curricula are highly condensed, introducing new course, involving significant hands on training time may pose another problem. Medical schools face the challenge of creating novel teaching strategies for this new, important and advanced physical examination. Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is a rapidly evolving discipline that aims to train non-cardiologists, non-radiologists clinicians in performing bedside ultrasound to guide clinical decision. The objective of our study was to evaluate if this training process can be simplified by allowing medical students self-train themselves with a web-based cardiac ultrasound software

Objectives

Results

Conclusion