Is there a relationship between ultrasound scanning ability (sonography) and visuospatial perception or psychomotor ability?

Abstract

Background: Competent sonography is thought to include a unique combination of skills not yet fully defined. This presents challenges when recruiting the correct people for training. Skills are thought to include visuospatial perception and psychomotor skills, but little is known about the relationship between these aptitudes and scanning ability. This feasibility study explored such relationships, to identify evaluation techniques which may improve selection and recruitment. Methods: A sample of 30 experienced ultrasound practitioners and 30 trainees at commencement and on completion of training were administered eight tests. Results: No significant relationships between experienced practitioners' or trainees' visuospatial abilities or psychomotor abilities and scanning abilities were found. Results demonstrated that two of the visuospatial perception tests were not influenced by training and therefore, may be measuring the innate skills of ultrasound practitioners. As ultrasound practitioners had not performed any of the tests previously, ranges of scores for each of the eight tests were established for this group. This included measures for psychomotor skills which added to the current body of knowledge for sonography. Conclusions: Although no significant correlations were found between participants' visuospatial perception or psychomotor abilities and scanning ability, performance on the Obstetric Structured Assessment Test (combining all the skills required) pre-training gave the best indication of post-training scanning performance. The Obstetric Structured Assessment Test may prove a useful tool for initial assessment of potential trainees but abilities will require further investigation.

Analysis of an obstetrics point-of-care ultrasound training program for healthcare practitioners in Zanzibar, Tanzania

“…A challenge is the level of educational investment that is required for the training of sonologist-clinicians. Users of CPUS must master a range of skills that include cognitive mastery of ultrasound theory, technical mastery of the ultrasound machine, anatomical knowledge, ability to conceptualize anatomy in “3-D”, psychomotor skills to manipulate an ultrasound probe with one hand while operating a machine with the other, and the ability to integrate the information obtained by ultrasound into clinical practice [ 36 , 37 ]. The “muscle memory” to simultaneously operate the ultrasound machine with one hand and the transducer with the other requires extensive repetition.…”

Unravelling the skillset of point-of-care ultrasound: a systematic review

“…One study reported a significant relationship between the Dimensionless Squared Jerk, a validated motion metric that measures deliberate hand movements, and US expertise in obstetric US [ 58 ], while the other three papers did not find a significant relationship between psychomotor skills and US competence. [ 45 , 48 , 49 ] No correlation or determination coefficient was reported in the studies. Walker [ 49 ] found a regression coefficient of 0.00056 ( p = 0.580) for the Grooved Pegboard test performed by the non-dominant hand, and of − 0.0013 ( p = 0.329) when it was executed by the dominant hand, and time to complete an ultrasound guided cystocentesis task.…”