title: Randomized study of effectiveness of computerized ultrasound simulators for an introductory course for residents in Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the impact of ultrasound simulation (SonoSim) on educational outcomes of an introductory point-of-care ultrasound course compared to hands-on training with live models alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three internal medicine residents without ultrasound experience were randomly assigned to control or experimental groups. They participated in an introductory point-of-care ultrasound course covering eight topics in eight sessions from June 23, 2014 until July 18, 2014. Both participated in lecture and hands-on training, but experimental group received an hour of computerized simulator training instead of a second hour of hands-on training. We assessed clinical knowledge and image acquisition with written multiple-choice and practical exams, respectively. Of the 53 enrolled, 40 participants (75.5%) completed the course and all testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the 30-item written exam, mean score of the experimental group was 23.1±3.4 (n=21) vs. 21.8±4.8 (n=19), (P>0 .05). For the practical exam, mean score for both groups was 8.7 out of 16 (P>0 .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The substitution of eight hours of ultrasound simulation training for live model scanning in a 24 hour training course did not enhance performance on written and image acquisition tests in an introductory ultrasound course for residents. This result suggests that ultrasound simulation technology used as a substitute for live model training on an hour-for-hour basis, did not improve learning outcomes. Further investigation into simulation as a total replacement for live model training will provide a clearer picture of the efficacy of ultrasound simulators in medical education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jack Philip
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9230-7135
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Trevor
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2302-7447
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Plescia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0900-1635
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Claudia de Oliveira
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8316-2782
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tonelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9019-2047
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langdorf
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA, USA.
authors.forename: John Christian
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2184-159X
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007858:Learning; D010820:Physicians; D000066908:Simulation Training; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000193:education*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Brazil; Internal medicine; Point-of-care systems; Simulation training; Ultrasonography