Effectiveness of Simulation-Based Training on Transesophageal Echocardiography Learning

Abstract

Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05564507

Jump-starting the Journey to Transesophageal Echocardiogram Mastery

“…The effectiveness of simulation training was noted to have the greatest impact on fellows who were less than 2 years into training. The study by Pezel et al is a welcome addition to the simulation literature in the cardiology space, noteworthy for its randomized and multicenter design, feats rarely achieved in medical education scholarship. The authors should be congratulated both for executing a multisite study focused on optimizing medical education and for completely standardizing teaching of skills across sites.…”

“…Notably, Pezel et al demonstrate clearly and elegantly that simulation teaching is both safe and a more effective way to teach novice learners. Importantly for early learners, simulation allows them to achieve a higher level of skill faster.…”

“…Specifically, Kirkpatrick classifies studies on 4 levels: (1) reaction, (2) learning, (3) behavior, and (4) results. 5 The study by Pezel et al 1 provides information about both level 1 (reaction to training) and level 2 (learning knowledge and skill). While changes were made to the learner's ability to perform TEE using a simulator 3 months after the course, data are not provided about change in the learner's behavior or performance on an actual TEE after the course, nor are there data about clinical outcomes such as patient safety or completeness of subsequent TEEs.…”

“…The SIMULATOR study was a French trial performed in 42 university centers where fellows who were inexperienced in transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) were randomized to simulation-based vs traditional teaching on TEE knowledge and skills. 1 Authors measured theoretical and practical scores 3 months after training, as well as TEE duration and fellows' self-perceived preparedness to perform a TEE. Fellows in the simulation group were noted to have higher scores, shorter times to TEE completion, and more confidence in performing a TEE.…”

Artificial Intelligence to Speed Up Training in Echocardiography: The Next Frontier

“…Simulation-based training has been shown to effectively improve education and transfer skills to the clinical performance of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. 8 However, these simulation platforms include mannequins and display the echocardiographic views in a standardized manner without taking into account the various body habitus we can face in clinical practice. The use of AI incorporated into the ultrasound system to guide the positioning and orientation of the ultrasound probe to obtain proper echocardiographic images would be the subsequent step to fully democratize the access to echocardiography.…”