title: Value of an electronic tutorial for image interpretation in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Use of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA) requires considerable training. An embedded electronic tutorial as an element of an ultrasound machine may help to identify sonoanatomy for novices. Therefore, we investigated whether an electronic tutorial could improve accuracy or speed of performance in identifying anatomical structures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five novices in UGRA participated in a workshop on brachial plexus sonoanatomy. Following a lecture and training in handling of ultrasound machines and hand-eye coordination, participants were randomized in either group S, using a standard ultrasound machine, or group T, using the same type of machine with an onboard electronic tutorial. Each participant had to identify 27 anatomical structures from the brachial plexus of a volunteer. A correctly identified structure scored 1 point. An experienced observer noted scores and time required. Scores ± SD (in %) and times ± SD (in seconds) were compared between groups by analyses of independent-samples t test and analysis of variance. Influence of anesthesia experience was determined by multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group T scored significantly higher (16.8 ± 3.6 [62%] vs. 13.4 ± 4.4 [50%], P = 0.018), whereas time required was longer (1053 ± 244 vs. 740 ± 244 seconds, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that experience had no influence on scores or time required. Examination of structures took more time in the beginning than at the end in group T.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An electronic tutorial can help novices in UGRA identify anatomical structures. A significant increase in correct identifications was gained at the expense of significantly longer time required for this process. Increased time required may partly be related to unfamiliarity with the tutorial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jessica T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wegener
authors.forename: C Thea
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: van Doorn
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Eshuis
authors.forename: Markus W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Hollmann
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Preckel
authors.forename: Markus F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional