Assessment of a Web-Based Simulation in Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Views (Web-SimTEE)

Assessment of a Web-Based Simulation Module to Improve Performance in Obtaining Standard Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Views

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is often used by anesthesiologists during cardiac surgery, as a monitoring tool in non-cardiac surgery, and as a point of care diagnostic tool in the intensive care unit (ICU). Furthermore, TEE is becoming a core skill in many specialties to facilitate focused cardiovascular assessment in hemodynamically compromised patients in various settings. Educators must determine how to best instruct current and future trainees to achieve clinical competence in TEE within a time limited and constantly expanding medical curriculum.

In this study the investigators will evaluate a new online TEE Simulation module as a learning tool to accelerate and enhance traditional clinical teaching. This project will evaluate a new online TEE Simulation module that replicates the actions required to adjust TEE probe position and the ultrasound plane in relation to a 3D heart model.

The investigators hypothesize that experience with the online TEE simulation module will improve the ability of trainees to independently perform TEE probe manipulations necessary to obtain standard TEE views. The proposed study will answer this question by measuring the performance of trainees in obtaining 10 of the 25 standard TEE views using the Vimedix mannequin-based ultrasonography simulator following an hour of review of the online TEE Simulation module.

The educational benefit of the Web-based TEE simulation module, will be evaluated by 20 novices randomly assigned to two groups, a control group of 10 subjects without exposure to the Web-based simulation, and an experimental group of 10 subjects with exposure to the Web-based simulation. Both groups will be assessed on their performance in attaining the 10 standard TEE views with the Vimedix simulator.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Training; Education
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Web-base simulator; Other: No web-base simulator

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2C4
      • Recruiting
      • Toronto General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

We will recruit residents and fellows during their training from the University of Toronto postgraduate programs in anesthesia, cardiology and critical care. They will have some knowledge of transthoracic echocardiography but no prior experience with TEE probe manipulation

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Residents or fellows in anesthesia, cardiology and critical care enrolled at the Toronto General Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• Residents or fellows in anesthesia, cardiology and critical care with prior experience with TEE probe manipulation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental; Learning TEE manipulation with a Web-based TEE simulation module	Other: Web-base simulator; Training manipulation of TEE using a Web-based simulator
Control; Learning a TEE manipulation without the Web-based TEE simulation	Other: No web-base simulator; Training manipulation of TEE with out a web-base simulator

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
TEE simulation model decreases time to select image acquisition in trainee participant vs. participants trained by reading material only	The metrics for acquiring each image will be recorded by the model, the primary measurement will be time in seconds per view acquired.	2 week review 1 session for assessment (Control: time required to acquire 10 views, Intervention: I hour session with online simulator plus time required to acquire 10 views)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
TEE simulation model improves select image quality in trainee participants vs. participants trained by reading material only as assessed by a expert review panel of echo cardiographers	Each image will be captured by the model and graded according to a 5 point scale.	2 week review 1 session for assessment- time required to acquire 10 views

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 13, 2017
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): July 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Anticipated): September 1, 2018

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 30, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 23, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): August 25, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 20, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 16, 2018
• Last Verified: November 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Interactive web-base simulation
• Other Study ID Numbers: REB 15-9547

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: Publication