Simulation-Based Echocardiography Teaching in Medical Education: A Test-Based Pilot Study

Abstract

Echocardiography is fundamental to diagnostic medicine, yet medical students seldom learn it. Simulation-based training to improve echocardiography learning is promising. This study examined how simulation-based echocardiography training affects final-year medical students’ knowledge and abilities. The study involved 16 medical students. Prior ultrasound experience and self-assessed competence were assessed using a pre-test that also had six multiple-choice questions on cardiac anatomy and physiology. The students went through an echocardiography teaching session using a simulator and a post-test with similar questions as the pre-test was administered thereafter. We compared both tests, and data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. Most students had little echocardiography experience before the class. After the teaching, scores averaged 5.07, up from 4.13 in the pre-test. Differences in pre-test and post-test scores were statistically significant (p = 0.007). The responses represented an improvement in self-assessed competence after the session. Simulation-based echocardiography improved medical students’ knowledge and skills. This study emphasizes the need for simulation-based training research to determine its long-term effects on clinical practice.