A Versatile Ultrasound Simulation System for Education and Training in High-Fidelity Emergency Scenarios

Abstract

Point of care ultrasonography and the related focused assessment with sonography for trauma protocol, if performed by experienced physicians, is a highly sensitive examination, and specific for the detection of free fluids. Different systems and methods have been proposed for training, including simulation as one of the most efficient. This paper presents an ultrasound training system, specifically designed to be used during bedside high fidelity simulation scenarios, that could facilitate the learning process. The development of the proposed system exploited novel rapid prototyping electronic boards as a means to obtain good performances with a low cost. Moreover, the design of the data structure permits the construction of a library that caters for individual needs, with the possibility of adding emergency scenarios, collecting pictures or videos, as well as 3-D volumes. The device has been compared with currently commercial ultrasound simulators and its innovative aspects have been highlighted. Finally, it has been tested during a training session in order to evaluate features, such as realism and user-friendliness.

Simulation Training for Residents Focused on Mechanical Ventilation

“…Simulation-based training may be a valuable addition to traditional didactic teaching. 7 – 9 Several studies have described the benefits of simulation-based training on physician performance in clinical areas such as critical intraoperative events, 10 , 11 airway management, 12 noncardiac critical care ultrasonography, 13 , 14 and obstetric emergencies. 15 However, few studies have investigated the use of simulation training for teaching MV, and the existing studies report mixed results.…”

Novel Simulation Model That Realizes Arterial and Venous Blood Flow for Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Catheter Insertion in Children

“…Therefore, the adoption of Doppler image training in the CVC phantom model is an important change. Previous studies have demonstrated that simulation training for medical devices is effective and useful for nonskilled personnel [22] – [26] . Similarly, the participants in this study expressed that the training with our model was helpful and realistic.…”

A simulation training course for family medicine residents in China managing COVID-19

“…The simulation scenario allows trainees to interact in lifelike situations; such training is also highly complementary to traditional didactic teaching. The present simulation is supported by other simulation-based training for physician performance in clinical areas such as critical intraoperative events, 13,14 airway management, 15 non-cardiac critical care ultrasonography 16,17 and obstetric emergencies. 18 Obviously, there are different emphasis points for specialists in family medicine, intensive care or infectious disease.…”