BACKGROUND: The EFAST (extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma) is part of the recommended curriculum for Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents. Computer-based lectures may represent a time-efficient alternative to traditional lectures. OBJECTIVES: Our hypothesis was that computer lectures in basic ultrasound and the EFAST are not inferior to classroom lectures in test score improvement for residents with or without prior training. METHODS:First-year Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents were enrolled and completed a pre-test. Subjects were then randomized into a classroom group, which attended traditional lectures, and a computer group, which listened to narrated lectures on computers. After the didactic training, all subjects completed a post-test. RESULTS:Forty-four subjects completed the study: 64% were General Surgery residents, 66% were male. Overall, mean test score improvements were higher in the classroom than in the computer group (28.0% vs. 18.4%). In 25 residents without prior training, mean improvements in the computer and classroom groups were 25% and 27%, respectively. The 95% confidence limit around the difference was 9%, falling within the a priori non-inferiority range of 10%, and consistent with non-inferiority of computer-based lectures. In 19 residents with prior training, mean test score improvements for the computer and classroom groups were 13% and 29%, respectively. The 95% confidence limit of 24% exceeded the non-inferiority range, consistent with inferiority of computer-based lectures. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based lectures are not inferior to classroom lectures and may represent a worthwhile substitution in subjects without prior ultrasound education. Our data suggest that didactic ultrasound training through classroom lectures is more effective than computer-based lectures in individuals with prior training.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: The EFAST (extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma) is part of the recommended curriculum for Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents. Computer-based lectures may represent a time-efficient alternative to traditional lectures. OBJECTIVES: Our hypothesis was that computer lectures in basic ultrasound and the EFAST are not inferior to classroom lectures in test score improvement for residents with or without prior training. METHODS: First-year Emergency Medicine and Surgery residents were enrolled and completed a pre-test. Subjects were then randomized into a classroom group, which attended traditional lectures, and a computer group, which listened to narrated lectures on computers. After the didactic training, all subjects completed a post-test. RESULTS: Forty-four subjects completed the study: 64% were General Surgery residents, 66% were male. Overall, mean test score improvements were higher in the classroom than in the computer group (28.0% vs. 18.4%). In 25 residents without prior training, mean improvements in the computer and classroom groups were 25% and 27%, respectively. The 95% confidence limit around the difference was 9%, falling within the a priori non-inferiority range of 10%, and consistent with non-inferiority of computer-based lectures. In 19 residents with prior training, mean test score improvements for the computer and classroom groups were 13% and 29%, respectively. The 95% confidence limit of 24% exceeded the non-inferiority range, consistent with inferiority of computer-based lectures. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based lectures are not inferior to classroom lectures and may represent a worthwhile substitution in subjects without prior ultrasound education. Our data suggest that didactic ultrasound training through classroom lectures is more effective than computer-based lectures in individuals with prior training.
Authors: Tarina Lee Kang; Kristin Berona; Marsha A Elkhunovich; Roberto Medero-Colon; Dina Seif; Mikaela L Chilstrom; Tom Mailhot Journal: Adv Med Educ Pract Date: 2015-03-13
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