Self-Directed Virtual Reality-Based Training versus Traditional Physician-Led Teaching for Point-of-Care Cardiac...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Ultrasound Technology
• Virtual Reality Simulation

Background:

• Traditional physician-led (PL) training is the standard for cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS).
• The efficacy of self-directed virtual reality (VR) simulators as an alternative requires investigation.
• Medical students often lack prior formal ultrasound training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the learning effectiveness of self-directed VR ultrasound simulators versus traditional PL teaching for cardiac POCUS.
• To determine noninferiority of VR training compared to PL training.
• To assess knowledge and skills retention at one month post-training.

Main Methods:

• A single-blinded, noninferiority, randomized controlled study involving 43 medical students.
• Participants completed an e-learning module and baseline MCQ test.
• Randomization to either physician-led (PL) or virtual reality (VR) simulator training for four cardiac POCUS views, followed by immediate and one-month follow-up assessments (MCQ and practical skills tests).

Main Results:

• The VR group had higher baseline MCQ scores.
• Immediately post-training, the PL group showed greater improvement in MCQ scores and higher practical scores.
• At one month, knowledge and practical score differences between groups were not statistically significant, with trends favoring VR for retention.

Conclusions:

• Self-directed VR training was noninferior to PL training for cardiac POCUS at one month.
• VR learning demonstrated trends suggesting enhanced retention of knowledge and skills.
• VR simulators present a viable alternative for POCUS training.