Late Breaking Abstract - Training thoracic ultrasound skills: a multicentre, blinded, randomized controlled trial of simulation-based training versus training on healthy figurants

Introduction: Technical development has made ultrasound available for most clinicians, and the use of thoracic ultrasound has increased with high diagnostic accuracy. However, ultrasound is user dependent and adequate education is a prerequisite. Simulation-based training has been proven to increase the level of competence in technical procedures.Aim: To explore the effect of simulation-based training in focused thoracic ultrasound compared to conventional training on healthy figurants measured by clinical assessment score.Methods: Ultrasound beginners from all specialities were eligible for inclusion. Included participants reached sufficient theoretical knowledge by an online platform ending with a validated theoretical test. Participants were randomized for 1) simulation-based training, 2) healthy figurants, or 3) no hands-on training. After hands-on training participants were assessed twice in a clinical setting by a blinded assessor.Results: 66 participants completed the theoretical session and were randomized. There was no statistical significant difference between the clinical assessment scores of the two trained groups (45.1 points and 41.9 points, p=0.31), but the scores were significantly higher in the trained groups (simulation, and figurant) than the control group (36.7, p=0.00 and p=0.03) respectively.Conclusion: Simulation-based training in thoracic ultrasound does not improve clinical assessment score compared to conventional training on simulated patients. As focused thoracic ultrasound is a relative uncomplicated procedure, focus should mainly be on the theoretical part and on supervised clinical training.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, OA5341.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).