gms | German Medical Science

Objectives: Over the past few decades, technological advances in both ultrasound (US) and the application of telemedicine have been made [1]. Medical education has shifted to online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating challenges in adequate training of US. In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the discontinuation of traditional classroom teaching, a tele-didactic US course for undergraduate medical students was developed. This study is examining the educational outcome of a new digital US course of the abdomen, thorax and the thyroid gland with the implementation of a modern portable US system.

Methods: A tele-guided US course was established between April 1^st and June 20^th, 2020, at the University Hospital in Bonn, Germany (see figure 1 [Fig. 1]). Students completed pre-and post-course surveys and underwent six US organ modules. Each module took place in a flipped-classroom concept including a digital learning platform. An objective structured assessment of US skills (OSAUS) [2] was implemented as final exam. Further, US images of the course and exam were rated by the Brightness Mode Quality Ultrasound Imaging Examination Technique (B-QUIET) [3]. Achieved points in image rating were compared to the OSAUS exam and survey results.

Results: A total of 15 medical students were enrolled. There was a significant increase in self-assessed theoretical and practical ability (p<0.001). Students achieved an average score of 154.5 (SD±11.72) out of 175 points (88.29%) in OSAUS, which corresponded to the image rating using B-QUIET and self-assessment data obtained in surveys. Interrater analysis of US images showed a favorable agreement with an ICC (2,1) of 0.895 (95% confidence interval 0.858<ICC<0.924).

Discussion: This is the first pilot study to investigate the individual learning outcome of German medical students in a newly developed, automated, tele-guided ultrasound course of the abdomen, the thyroid gland and the thorax using a modern PUM device. In addition, it is the first study to test the use of the B-QUIET [3] image analysis method as well as the OSAUS [2] protocol in a digital tele-guided US course together.

Take home messages: US training via teleguidance should be considered in medical education. Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of this concept that can be used in the future to improve US training of medical students even during a pandemic. The digital implementation with an affordable, portable point-of-care-US device could be an incredible opportunity to expedite US training worldwide.