Comparisons of two diaphragm ultrasound-teaching programs: a multicenter randomized controlled educational study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Assessing the effectiveness of educational programs for Diaphragm Ultrasound (DUS) assessments.
• Evaluating if a combined video tutorial and practical session surpasses a video-only approach for DUS accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if an educational program can enable adequate Diaphragm Ultrasound (DUS) assessments.
• To compare the efficacy of a video tutorial alone versus a combined video and practical training for accurate DUS measurements.

Main Methods:

• 172 volunteers without prior ultrasound experience were enrolled.
• Participants completed a theoretical questionnaire, then randomized to intervention (video + practical) or control (video only).
• Diaphragm Ultrasound (DUS) measurements were recorded and assessed for accuracy against predefined criteria.

Main Results:

• The intervention group achieved 83.7% accuracy in DUS assessment versus 3.5% in the control group (p < 0.0001).
• Accurate diaphragm displacement (DD) and thickening fraction (TF) measurements were significantly higher in the intervention group (91% and 99%) compared to controls (45% and 21%).
• Learners receiving practical training demonstrated significantly improved measurement accuracy.

Conclusions:

• A combined theoretical and practical training approach is superior to a theoretical course alone for mastering acoustic windows and accurate DUS measurements.
• The study highlights the importance of hands-on training for developing proficiency in Diaphragm Ultrasound (DUS) assessments.