Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Focused assessment with ultrasonography for trauma (FAST) is a valuable ultrasound procedure in emergency settings, and there is a need for evidence-based education in FAST to ensure competencies. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a progressive training modality gaining traction in the field of ultrasonography training. IVR holds several economic and practical advantages to the common instructor-led FAST courses using screen-based simulation (SBS).
METHODS: This prospective, interventional cohort study investigated whether training FAST using IVR unsupervised and out-of-hospital was non-inferior to a historical control group training at a 90 min SBS course in terms of developing FAST competencies in novices. Competencies were assessed in both groups using the same post-training simulation-based FAST test with validity evidence, and a non-inferiority margin of 2 points was chosen.
RESULTS: A total of 27 medical students attended the IVR course, and 27 junior doctors attended the SBS course. The IVR group trained for a median time of 117 min and scored a mean 14.2 ± 2.0 points, compared with a mean 13.7 ± 2.5 points in the SBS group. As the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval at 13.6 was within the range of the non-inferiority margin (11.7-13.7 points), training FAST in IVR for a median of 117 min was found non-inferior to training at a 90 min SBS course. No significant correlation was found between time spent in IVR and test scores.
CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the use of a historical control group, the results suggest that IVR could be an alternative to SBS FAST training and suitable for unsupervised, out-of-hospital courses in basic FAST competencies.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology |
Volume | 50 |
Issue number | 2 |
Pages (from-to) | 277-284 |
ISSN | 0301-5629 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Feb 2024 |
Keywords
- Education
- Focused assessment with sonography for trauma
- Immersive virtual reality
- Non-inferiority
- Simulation
- Simulation-based training
- Skills
- Ultrasonography
- Clinical Competence
- Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
- Prospective Studies
- Humans
- Virtual Reality
- Cohort Studies