title: Effect of e-learning on quality of cervical-length measurements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of implementation of a newly developed e-learning module on the quality of cervical-length measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  With the introduction of cervical-length (CL) measurement in a research setting, a CL measurement e-learning module (CLEM) was developed with the purpose to enhance the knowledge and skills of experienced ultrasonographers. CLEM was designed specifically for ultrasonographers who perform ultrasound in a general obstetrical practice but who do not regularly perform CL measurements. CLEM consists of five theoretical questions and three caliper-placement tests to learn the CL measurement technique. The quality of the CL measurements of CLEM participants was compared with images of non-participants using a CL measurement image score (CIS), defined as the sum of six items which assess the quality of the image. Each CLEM participant submitted five CL images and the images of non-CLEM participants were selected randomly from an ultrasound database.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CIS of the CLEM participants (n = 61) were significantly higher than those of non-CLEM participants (n = 23) (164.9 vs 155.6, respectively; P = 0.03). Visualization of the internal os and positioning of the calipers on the internal and external ora were found to have significantly higher CIS among the CLEM participants than among the non-CLEM participants (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Introducing CLEM may improve the quality of CL measurements obtained by trained and untrained sonographers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Os
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Ven
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Education, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Bloemendaal
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pajkrt
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J M
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.affiliation: The Robinson Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
authors.forename: B W J
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Haak
mesh_terms: D054791:Cervical Length Measurement / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D009426:Netherlands; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care
keywords: cervical length; e-learning; preterm birth