Evaluating the effectiveness of a lower extremity venous phantom on developing ultrasound examination skills and confidence

Abstract

Introduction The aims of this study were: (1) Determine the effect on student ultrasound scanning skills using a lower extremity venous ultrasound phantom in addition to standard teaching methods of didactic lecture and scanning live volunteers and (2) Determine the effect of using a lower extremity venous ultrasound phantom in addition to standard teaching methods of didactic lecture and scanning live volunteers on student confidence levels in performing the lower extremity venous ultrasound examination. Methods Participants were first year diagnostic medical sonography students with minimal scanning experience ( n = 11), which were randomized into two groups. Group 1 ( n = 5) received the standard didactic lecture and attended a scan lab assessment where they performed a lower extremity venous examination on a human volunteer. Group 2 ( n = 6) received the standard didactic lecture, performed three scheduled scanning sessions on an anatomic lower extremity venous phantom with flow and then attended the same scan lab assessment as Group 1, where they performed a lower extremity venous examination on a human volunteer. Results Scan lab assessments on day 4 of the study demonstrated a significant difference in scanning performance ( p = 0.019) between the two groups. Post scan lab assessment confidence scores also demonstrated a significant difference between how participants in each group scored their confidence levels ( p = 0.0260), especially in the ability to image calf veins. Conclusions This study suggests anatomical phantoms can be used to develop scanning skills and build confidence in ultrasound imaging of the lower extremity venous structures.