Self-Learning Videos in Focused Transthoracic Echocardiography Training

Background: Focused transthoracic echocardiography (FOTE) is crucial for patients' bedside management. However, limited opportunities exist for practical FOTE training, prompting the use of simulation and self-learning videos to overcome this constraint. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of incorporating self-learning videos into a simulation FOTE training course.

Approach: This was a prospective, randomized study involving University of Toronto internal medicine residents, who participated in a 2-h didactic and simulation FOTE training course before being randomized to a control group receiving written learning materials or an intervention group with additional self-directed learning videos.

Evaluation: Twenty-eight participants were randomized, and twenty-one (75%) completed the 1-month follow-up. Participants were assessed using a written test on image acquisition techniques and structure identification, scanning time and image quality on a simulator and self-reported scanning comfort, both pre-intervention and 1-month post-intervention. The groups had no significant difference in the time spent reviewing the material (1.5 vs. 1.4 h, p = 0.76). A significant increase in post-course scores was observed in all evaluations except for the control group's written test (p = 0.07). There were no significant between-group differences across the written test (p = 0.7), image quality (p = 0.6) and comfort level (p = 0.7). Compared to the control group, the intervention group exhibited a greater reduction in the scanning time (38 vs. 72 s, p = 0.02).

Implications: FOTE training effectively increases theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a simulated setting. However, limited video utilization by participants precluded the inference of definitive conclusions on the impact of self-learning videos.