Effectiveness of Simulation Training in Acquiring Echocardiography Skills among Neonatology Care Providers

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that simulation training improves echocardiography skills. Study Design In this prospective study, 43 participants (16 neonatologists, 26 neonatology fellows, and 1 nurse practitioner) were tested on the simulator after 4 hours of didactic sessions on topographical cardiac anatomy and standard echocardiographic views. Participants were given 20 minutes to obtain and save the standard views. After the simulation hands-on training for 8 hours over 3 days, they were tested again. Each image was scored from 0 to 3 based on the image quality. Pre- and postsimulator training data were compared using both automated and visual scoring methods. Results After the hands-on simulator training, the automated median (interquartile) score for the quality of acquired images increased from 36 (22, 43) to 55 (48, 58), p < 0.0001. The increase was similar using visual scoring. The number of views with acceptable or good image quality (scores of 2 or 3) increased from 11 (6, 16) to 20 (17, 21), p < 0.0001. The neonatology fellows and faculty, as well as those with or without prior echocardiography experience, demonstrated significant improvement. Conclusions Echocardiography simulation is an effective tool in improving echocardiography skills among neonatology care providers. Key Points