Conception and Feasibility of a Digital Tele-Guided Abdomen, Thorax, and Thyroid Gland Ultrasound Course for Medical Students (TELUS study)

Abstract

Purpose Medical education has been transformed during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating challenges regarding adequate training in ultrasound (US). Due to the discontinuation of traditional classroom teaching, the need to expand digital learning opportunities is undeniable. The aim of our study is to develop a tele-guided US course for undergraduate medical students and test the feasibility and efficacy of this digital US teaching method.

Materials and Methods A tele-guided US course was established for medical students. Students underwent seven US organ modules. Each module took place in a flipped classroom concept via the Amboss platform, providing supplementary e-learning material that was optional and included information on each of the US modules. An objective structured assessment of US skills (OSAUS) was implemented as the final exam. US images of the course and exam were rated by the Brightness Mode Quality Ultrasound Imaging Examination Technique (B-QUIET). Achieved points in image rating were compared to the OSAUS exam.

Results A total of 15 medical students were enrolled. Students achieved an average score of 154.5 (SD ± 11.72) out of 175 points (88.29 %) in OSAUS, which corresponded to the image rating using B-QUIET. Interrater analysis of US images showed a favorable agreement with an ICC (2.1) of 0.895 (95 % confidence interval 0.858 < ICC < 0.924).

Conclusion US training via teleguidance should be considered in medical education. Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of a concept that can be used in the future to improve US training of medical students even during a pandemic.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Das Ziel dieser Studie war die Konzeption eines telemedizinischen Ultraschall (US)-Kurses für Medizinstudierende zu Zeiten der COVID-19-Pandemie mit anschließender Evaluation praktischer Untersuchungskompetenzen.

Material und Methode Es wurde ein telemedizinischer Ultraschallkurs mit Medizinstudierenden durchgeführt. Die Studierenden absolvierten insgesamt 7 US-Module. Jedes Modul wurde in einem Flipped-Classroom-Konzept mit der Amboss-Plattform konzipiert, um den Studierenden die Möglichkeit zu geben, zusätzliches E-Learning-Material zu nutzen, das optional war und Informationen zu jedem der US-Module lieferte. Als Abschlussprüfung wurde eine objektive Bewertung der US-Kompetenzen (OSAUS) durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurden die US-Bilder aus Kursstunden und Prüfung mit der B-QUIET-Rating-Methode bewertet und die dort erreichten Punkte mit den Ergebnissen der OSAUS-Prüfung verglichen.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt nahmen 15 Medizinstudierende teil. In OSAUS wurden durchschnittlich 154,5 (SD ± 11,72) von insgesamt 175 Punkten erreicht (88,29 %). Die OSAUS-Ergebnisse stimmen mit der Punktzahl aus der Bildbewertung mit B-QUIET überein. Die Interrater-Analyse der bewerteten US-Bilder zeigte eine gute Übereinstimmung mit einem ICC (2,1) von 0,895 (95 %-Konfidenzintervall 0,858–0,924).

Schlussfolgerungen Die US-Lehre mittels Teleguidance hat sich in dieser Pilotstudie als erfolgreiches Lehrkonzept erwiesen. Dieses zukunftsweisende Lehrkonzept ermöglicht zudem die US-Ausbildung von Medizinstudierenden in Zeiten der COVID-19-Pandemie, in denen Präsenzlehre nicht möglich ist.

Key words

ultrasound education - tele-medicine - tele-ultrasound - course concept - medical students

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