The value of homemade phantoms for training veterinary students in the ultrasonographic detection of radiolucent foreign bodies

Abstract

Ingested or penetrating foreign bodies are common in veterinary medicine. When they are radiolucent, these objects become a diagnostic challenge, but they can be investigated sonographically. However, successful object identification depends on the skill of the sonographer. Considering that these cases appear randomly during hospital routines, it is not always possible to train all students to identify them correctly. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce homemade simulations of radiolucent foreign bodies for veterinary student demonstrations that could be identified sonographically and to evaluate the acceptability, applicability, and usefulness of these simulations according to a visual analog scale questionnaire and subjective questions. For this purpose, object models (a pacifier nipple, a toy ball, a sock, nylon thread, and a mango seed) were designed, produced, and immersed in gelatin. To simulate wood splinters in the integumentary and musculoskeletal system, a piece of meat punctured with a toothpick and ice cream stick splinters were used. The type of phantom had a determinant effect on the visualization (chi-square = 36.528, P< 0.0001) and recognition (chi-square = 18.756, P = 0.0021) capability of the students. All of the students answered that their experience with the models could help in real situations. The student responses to the questionnaire indicated that the project was well accepted, and the participants believed that this experience could be applicable to and useful in veterinary routines.

Modified B‐QUIET scoring of kidney images acquired by veterinary students in live canines with versus without sequential practice on ultrasound phantoms

“…knobology), develop motor skills, and practice ultrasound-guided procedures prior to an actual patient encounter. [2][3][4] Phantom training has the added benefits of minimizing the use of live animal models and allowing for active, self-directed learning. While commercially produced models can closely replicate anatomical regions, 5,6 cost-effective and homemade models have also proven to be efficacious training instruments.…”

“…6 Furthermore, students' perception of phantom training is typically favorable. 2,9 In recent studies, students report feeling better prepared for utilization of ultrasound in clinical settings following phantom training, 9 and anticipate that experiences using phantoms would be directly applicable to decision making in clinical situations. 2 The purpose of this study was to determine whether pre-clinical veterinary students in a curriculum with more ultrasound phantom training sessions acquire better-quality ultrasound images of kidneys in live canines compared with students in a curriculum without sequential phantom training sessions.…”

“…2,9 In recent studies, students report feeling better prepared for utilization of ultrasound in clinical settings following phantom training, 9 and anticipate that experiences using phantoms would be directly applicable to decision making in clinical situations. 2 The purpose of this study was to determine whether pre-clinical veterinary students in a curriculum with more ultrasound phantom training sessions acquire better-quality ultrasound images of kidneys in live canines compared with students in a curriculum without sequential phantom training sessions. We hypothesized that there would be a measurable difference in the quality of static sonographic images obtained by the veterinary students with increased number of phantom training sessions when their images are assessed with a modified B-QUIET scale.…”

“…Ultrasound phantoms are training tools that allow students to learn basic ultrasound principles (e.g. knobology), develop motor skills, and practice ultrasound‐guided procedures prior to an actual patient encounter 2–4 . Phantom training has the added benefits of minimizing the use of live animal models and allowing for active, self‐directed learning.…”

“…Phantom training has the added benefits of minimizing the use of live animal models and allowing for active, self‐directed learning. While commercially produced models can closely replicate anatomical regions, 5,6 cost‐effective and homemade models have also proven to be efficacious training instruments 2,3 . Whether or not ultrasound phantom training sessions indeed translate to better‐quality acquisition of ultrasound images in live animals, however, has been incompletely studied in veterinary medicine.…”