Procedural simulation: medical student preference and value of three task trainers for ultrasound guided regional anesthesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound guided regional anesthesia is widely taught using task trainer models. Commercially available models are often used; however, they can be cost prohibitive. Therefore, alternative "homemade" models with similar fidelity are often used. We hypothesize that professional task trainers will be preferred over homemade models. The purpose of this study is to determine realism, durability and cleanliness of three different task trainers for ultrasound guided nerve blocks. METHODS:This was a prospective observational study using a convenience sample of medical student participants in an ultrasound guided nerve block training session on January 24th, 2015. Participants were asked to perform simulated nerve blocks on three different task trainers including, 1 commercial and 2 homemade. A questionnaire was then given to all participants to rate their experiences both with and without the knowledge on the cost of the simulator device.RESULTS: Data was collected from 25 participants. The Blue Phantom model was found to have the highest fi delity. Initially, 10 (40%) of the participants preferred the Blue Phantom model, while 10 (40%) preferred the homemade gelatin model and 5 (20%) preferred the homemade tofu model. After cost awareness, the majority, 18 (72%) preferred the gelatin model. CONCLUSION:The Blue Phantom model was thought to have the highest fidelity, but after cost consideration the homemade gelatin model was preferred.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Confirm Umbilical Line Placement

“…Simulation training is a great tool for clinicians to learn new procedural skills. 22 As demonstrated by our study and others, 14,15,23 low-cost, low-fidelity homemade ultrasound models can be incorporated into ultrasound training to improve learning. However, high-fidelity models may be needed when more complex anatomy or procedural technique is involved.…”

Investigating 3D-printed disk compressing against skin for pain relief in intradermal infiltration anesthesia: a randomized controlled trial

“…The skin wheal for local anesthesia in spinal block has recently been considered a controversial topic [ 33 ]; however, this procedure is still common, especially in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia [ 1 , 34 – 37 ]. In this study, we preferred to raise the skin wheal as a landmark for anatomical discrimination.…”

A randomized, controlled simulation study comparing single and double operator ultrasound-guided regional nerve block techniques using a gelatine-based home-made phantom

“…Although gelatine-based models are acceptable for training, [ 12 , 13 ] the low fidelity of our handmade gelatin-based phantom may be another limitation of our study. First, the low background echogenicity of the phantom enhanced the visibility of the block needle, and the flat surface of the phantom facilitated the probe movements.…”