Medical imaging training with eye movement modeling examples: A randomized controlled study

To determine whether ultrasound training in which the expert's eye movements are superimposed to the underlying ultrasound video (eye movement modeling examples; EMMEs) leads to better learner outcomes than traditional eye movement-free instructions.

106 undergraduate medical students were randomized in two groups; 51 students in the EMME group watched 5-min ultrasound examination videos combined with the eye movements of an expert performing the task. The identical videos without the eye movements were shown to 55 students in the control group. Performance and behavioral parameters were compared prepost interventional using ANOVAs. Additionally, cognitive load, and prior knowledge in anatomy were surveyed.

After training, the EMME group identified more sonoanatomical structures correctly, and completed the tasks faster than the control group. This effect was partly mediated by a reduction of extraneous cognitive load. Participants with greater prior anatomical knowledge benefited the most from the EMME training.

Displaying experts' eye movements in medical imaging training appears to be an effective way to foster medical interpretation skills of undergraduate medical students. One underlying mechanism might be that practicing with eye movements reduces cognitive load and helps learners activate their prior knowledge.