Marcos Silva Restrepo1, Michel A Boivin2, Pierre Kory3, Pralay K Sarkar4, Gisela I Banauch5, Stephen Halpern6, Paul H Mayo7. 1. Department of Anesthesia, 71545Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, 12289University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA. 3. 5232University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA. 4. Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, 171841Baylor College of Medicine, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, TX, USA. 5. Critical Care Ultrasound Education, Critical Care Ultrasound Program, 466680University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA, USA. 6. 71545Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 7. 232890Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography has important applications for the management of the critically ill patient. There is a need to develop effective training programs for the critical care community in acquiring skill at critical care transesophageal echocardiography. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effectiveness of a 1-day simulation-based course that focused on the acquisition of skill in the performance of critical care transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: Learners received training in image acquisition with a transesophageal simulator and training in image interpretation in small group sessions. Skill at image acquisition and image interpretation was assessed at the beginning and at the completion of the course. RESULTS: There were 27 learners who attended the course. Pre and post knowledge scores were 55 (19; mean [SD]) and 88 (9; P < .0005), respectively. Pre and post image acquisition scores were 3.6 (3.7) and 9.9 (0.3; P < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day course in critical care transesophageal echocardiography that combined case-based image interpretation with image acquisition training using a simulator improved technical skills and knowledge base.
BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography has important applications for the management of the critically ill patient. There is a need to develop effective training programs for the critical care community in acquiring skill at critical care transesophageal echocardiography. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effectiveness of a 1-day simulation-based course that focused on the acquisition of skill in the performance of critical care transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: Learners received training in image acquisition with a transesophageal simulator and training in image interpretation in small group sessions. Skill at image acquisition and image interpretation was assessed at the beginning and at the completion of the course. RESULTS: There were 27 learners who attended the course. Pre and post knowledge scores were 55 (19; mean [SD]) and 88 (9; P < .0005), respectively. Pre and post image acquisition scores were 3.6 (3.7) and 9.9 (0.3; P < .0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day course in critical care transesophageal echocardiography that combined case-based image interpretation with image acquisition training using a simulator improved technical skills and knowledge base.