The impact of internet and simulation‐based training on transoesophageal echocardiography learning in anaesthetic trainees: a prospective randomised study. (17th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, V.; Chamos, C.; Valencia, O.; Meineri, M.; Fletcher, S. N.
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia. Volume 68:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 621
• Page End: 627
• Publication Date: 2013-04-17
• Subjects: Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1111/anae.12261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2409

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="anae12261-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>With the increasing role of transoesophageal echocardiography in clinical fields other than cardiac surgery, we decided to assess the efficacy of multi‐modular echocardiography learning in echo‐naïve anaesthetic trainees. Twenty‐eight trainees undertook a pre‐test to ascertain basic echocardiography knowledge, following which the study subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: learning via traditional methods such as review of guidelines and other literature (non‐internet group); and learning via an internet‐based echocardiography resource (internet group). After this, subjects in both groups underwent simulation‐based echocardiography training. More tests were then conducted after a review of the respective educational resources and simulation sessions. Mean (SD) scores of subjects in the non‐internet group were 28 (10)%, 44 (10)% and 63 (5)% in the pre‐test, post‐intervention test and post‐simulation test, respectively, whereas those in the internet group scored 29 (8)%, 59 (10)%, (p = 0.001) and 72 (8)%, p = 0.005, respectively. The use of internet‐ and simulation‐based learning methods led to a significant improvement in knowledge of transoesophageal echocardiography by anaesthetic trainees. The impact of simulation‐based training was greater in the group who did not use the internet‐based resource. We conclude that internet‐ and simulation‐based learning methods both improve transoesophageal echocardiography knowledge in echo‐naïve anaesthetic trainees.</p> </abstract>