The Predictive Value of Ultrasound Learning Curves Across Simulated and Clinical Settings

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Predictive Value of Ultrasound Learning Curves Across Simulated and Clinical Settings

AU - Madsen, Mette E

AU - Nørgaard, Lone N

AU - Tabor, Ann

AU - Konge, Lars

AU - Ringsted, Charlotte

AU - Tolsgaard, Martin G

N1 - © 2016 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

PY - 2017/1

Y1 - 2017/1

N2 - Objectives-The aim of the study was to explore whether learning curves on a virtual-reality (VR) sonographic simulator can be used to predict subsequent learning curves on a physical mannequin and learning curves during clinical training. Methods-Twenty midwives completed a simulation-based training program in transvaginal sonography. The training was conducted on a VR simulator as well as on a physical mannequin. A subgroup of 6 participants underwent subsequent clinical training. During each of the 3 steps, the participants' performance was assessed using instruments with established validity evidence, and they advanced to the next level only after attaining predefined levels of performance. The number of repetitions and time needed to achieve predefined performance levels were recorded along with the performance scores in each setting. Finally, the outcomes were correlated across settings. Results-A good correlation was found between time needed to achieve predefined performance levels on the VR simulator and the physical mannequin (Pearson correlation coefficient.78; P <.001). Performance scores on the VR simulator correlated well to the clinical performance scores (Pearson correlation coefficient.81; P =.049). No significant correlations were found between numbers of attempts needed to reach proficiency across the 3 different settings. A post hoc analysis found that the 50% fastest trainees at reaching proficiency during simulation-based training received higher clinical performance scores compared to trainees with scores placing them among the 50% slowest (P =.025). Conclusions-Performances during simulation-based sonography training may predict performance in related tasks and subsequent clinical learning curves.

AB - Objectives-The aim of the study was to explore whether learning curves on a virtual-reality (VR) sonographic simulator can be used to predict subsequent learning curves on a physical mannequin and learning curves during clinical training. Methods-Twenty midwives completed a simulation-based training program in transvaginal sonography. The training was conducted on a VR simulator as well as on a physical mannequin. A subgroup of 6 participants underwent subsequent clinical training. During each of the 3 steps, the participants' performance was assessed using instruments with established validity evidence, and they advanced to the next level only after attaining predefined levels of performance. The number of repetitions and time needed to achieve predefined performance levels were recorded along with the performance scores in each setting. Finally, the outcomes were correlated across settings. Results-A good correlation was found between time needed to achieve predefined performance levels on the VR simulator and the physical mannequin (Pearson correlation coefficient.78; P <.001). Performance scores on the VR simulator correlated well to the clinical performance scores (Pearson correlation coefficient.81; P =.049). No significant correlations were found between numbers of attempts needed to reach proficiency across the 3 different settings. A post hoc analysis found that the 50% fastest trainees at reaching proficiency during simulation-based training received higher clinical performance scores compared to trainees with scores placing them among the 50% slowest (P =.025). Conclusions-Performances during simulation-based sonography training may predict performance in related tasks and subsequent clinical learning curves.

KW - Adult

KW - Clinical Competence/statistics & numerical data

KW - Computer Simulation

KW - Denmark

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Learning Curve

KW - Manikins

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Midwifery/education

KW - Ultrasonics/education

KW - Ultrasonography

U2 - 10.7863/ultra.16.01037

DO - 10.7863/ultra.16.01037

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27925649

SN - 0278-4297

VL - 36

SP - 201

EP - 208

JO - Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

JF - Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine

IS - 1

ER -