Efficacy of an Online Education Program for Ultrasound Diagnosis of Pneumothorax

Abstract

After viewing a 5-min online training video, physicians can reliably rule out pneumothorax on an optimal ultrasound image. They are also able to retain this skill for up to 6 months.

Lung ultrasound training: a systematic review of published literature in clinical lung ultrasound training

“…Practical skill test after 60 min hands-on session (four cases)Porcine modelsOne and a half hour theoretical and practice-based courseFour veterinaries, eight neonatologists, seven paediatric intensive care specialists, two intensive care nurses, three paediatric surgeons, eight paediatric anaesthesiologists, four paediatricians See et al [23]Pre- and post-testTheoretical pre- and post-test (20 MCQs) and hands-on (blinded evaluation of image acquisition and interpretation)Mechanically ventilated patients or patients with respiratory failure, requiring at least 40% inspired oxygen fraction to maintain an oxygen saturation of 90%30 min didactic introduction, 1 month self-study (powerpoint slides, criticalecho.com and court.net). Supervised scans with immediately feedback with focus on image acquisition, afterwards image interpretation by blinded observer22 respiratory therapists Greenstein et al [24]Pre- and post-testTheoretical pre- and post-test (20 MCQs) and hands-on assessmentHealthy human models3 days course including didactic lectures with real-time ultrasound scan on healthy models, image interpretation sessions and hands-on training363 critical care physicians, hospitalists, surgeons, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses and medical residentsDescriptive studies Krishnan et al [25]Post course evaluation and sustainability testTheoretical post- and sustainability test (20 video clips ± pneumothorax)Ultrasound video of 53 patients before and after elective thoracic surgery. In all, 99 videos were compiled (52 without pneumothoraces and 47 with)5-min online presentation of the use of ultrasound for detection of pneumothorax79 (70 at 6 month follow-up) residents and faculty members from Department of anaesthesiaAbbasi et al [26]Prospective cross-sectional studyHands-on assessment (± pneumothorax)Healthy live models and patients admitted in Emergency Department with thoracic trauma2 h training course including 30 min didactic lecture, 30 min hands-on training on healthy volunteers, 1 h training on patientsFour emergency physiciansGargani et al [27]Post course evaluationOnline assessment of uploaded LUS examinations and theoretical assessment of b -line interpretation (44 videos)PatientsPart A: web-based training program; 26 min educational video with focus on b -line assessment.…”

“…2016Two-tailed student t testImprovement in pre- and post-test score and practical pre- and postcourse skill scoreThis 3-day CHEST CCUS course is an effective method to train large groups of clinicians in the skills requisite for CCUS. The majority of learners demonstrated improved performance in both image interpretation and hands-on ultrasonography skills across all educational domains at the completion of the course4Krishnan et al [25]. Efficacy of an online education program for ultrasound diagnosis of pneumothorax.…”

“…Five of the pre- and post-test studies had a follow-up time from 1 week to 6 months, average 13 weeks ± 4.83 [14, 16, 18, 20, 25], and one recorded number of scans performed from baseline to follow-up [20]. Three descriptive studies were identified [25–27] and one randomized controlled trial [28].…”

“…Five of the pre- and post-test studies had a follow-up time from 1 week to 6 months, average 13 weeks ± 4.83 [14, 16, 18, 20, 25], and one recorded number of scans performed from baseline to follow-up [20]. Three descriptive studies were identified [25–27] and one randomized controlled trial [28]. Five of the studies (31%) were courses in general critical care ultrasound, or basic skill ultrasound, where thoracic or lung ultrasound was a specific and independently evaluated topic [17, 19–21, 24].…”

“…Web-based learning or online presentations were used in 7 (44%) studies [16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28]. Four of those had only online presentations or web-based learning modules without didactic lectures or hands-on sessions [16, 25, 27, 28].…”