Dataset Information

Teaching point-of-care ultrasound using a serious game: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an important diagnostic tool for internists. However, there are important barriers in learning POCUS, including lack of practice time and lack of experts for supervision. Alternative learning tools may assist in overcoming these barriers. A serious game is being developed specifically for teaching ultrasound. In this study, we assessed the use of a serious game in learning POCUS.

Methods

Ultrasound-native medical students were randomly assigned to the intervention group (N = 27) or the control group (N = 26). Both groups performed a real ultrasound on a volunteer after a brief introduction, but the intervention group played a serious game in advance. The endpoints were the assessments of the videos by experts (scoring quality of the probe movements) and the research team (counting probe movements), and probe movements measured with an accelerometer.

Results

The intervention group completed the exam faster (247 s vs. 347 s, p = 0.006 (95% CI: [30.20;168.80]) and lifted the probe less frequently from the model (0.54 vs. 3.79, p = 0.001 (95% CI: [1.39;5.11]). Also, we found an in-game learning effect between levels, showing a 48% decrease in total playing time (p < 0.001), 36% reduction in attempts per coin (p = 0.007), a 33% reduction in total probe distance (p = 0.002), and a 61% decrease in contact moments (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in expert score between the two groups.

Conclusion

The serious game 'Underwater' is a fun and useful addition to traditional bedside ultrasound learning, which also may overcome one of the most important barriers in learning ultrasound: lack of supervised practice time. We show that the game improves real-practice probe handling with faster and more goal-oriented probe movements.

SUBMITTER: Olgers T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10731722 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Teaching point-of-care ultrasound using a serious game: a randomized controlled trial.

Olgers Tycho T Rozendaal Jelle J van Weringh Sanne S van de Vliert Rachel R Laros Ranek R Bouma Hjalmar H Ter Maaten Jan J

BMC medical education 20231219 1

<h4>Background</h4>Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an important diagnostic tool for internists. However, there are important barriers in learning POCUS, including lack of practice time and lack of experts for supervision. Alternative learning tools may assist in overcoming these barriers. A serious game is being developed specifically for teaching ultrasound. In this study, we assessed the use of a serious game in learning POCUS.<h4>Methods</h4>Ultrasound-native medical students were randoml ...[more]

PMID: 38115017

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Project description:BackgroundAlcohol use disorder (AUD) has become a major global health problem. Therapy for this condition is still a great challenge. Recently, it has become increasingly evident that computer-based training is a valuable addition to the treatment of addictive disorders.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the web-based serious game SALIENCE (Stop Alcohol in Everyday Life-New Choices and Evaluations) as an add-on therapy for AUD. It combines the cue-exposure therapy approach with elements of decision-making training, enhanced by interactive panoramic images. The effects of SALIENCE training on levels of craving, attention, and cognitive bias are investigated.MethodsIn a randomized controlled trial, 62 participants with AUD undergoing 3 weeks of an extended alcohol detoxification program were randomly allocated to an intervention and a control group. A total of 49 individuals (mean age 44.04 y; 17/49, 35% female) completed all sessions and were included in the analysis. Only pretreatment data were available from the other 13 patients. Participants answered questionnaires related to alcohol consumption and craving and completed neuropsychological tasks at the beginning of the study and 2 weeks later to evaluate levels of attention and cognitive biases. During the 2-week period, 27 of the participants additionally performed the SALIENCE training for 30 minutes 3 times a week, for a total of 6 sessions.ResultsWe observed a significant decrease in craving in both groups: the control group (mean 15.59, SD 8.02 on the first examination day vs mean 13.18, SD 8.38 on the second examination day) and the intervention group (mean 15.19, SD 6.71 on the first examination day vs mean 13.30, SD 8.47 on the second examination day; F1,47=4.31; P=.04), whereas the interaction effect was not statistically significant (F1,47=0.06; P=.80). Results of the multiple linear regression controlling for individual differences between participants indicated a significantly greater decrease in craving (β=4.12; t36=2.34; P=.03) with the SALIENCE intervention. Participants with lower drinking in negative situations reduced their craving (β=.38; t36=3.01; P=.005) more than people with higher drinking in negative situations.ConclusionsThe general effectiveness of SALIENCE training as an add-on therapy in reducing alcohol craving was not confirmed. Nevertheless, taking into account individual differences (gender, duration of dependence, stress, anxiety, and drinking behavior in different situations), it was shown that SALIENCE training resulted in a larger reduction in craving than without. Notably, individuals who rarely consume alcohol due to negative affect profited the most from SALIENCE training. In addition to the beneficial effect of SALIENCE training, these findings highlight the relevance of individualized therapy for AUD, adapted to personal circumstances such as drinking motivation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03765476; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03765476.

Project description:BACKGROUND:In the past several years, gamified learning has been growing in popularity in various medical educational contexts including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training. Furthermore, prior work in Basic Life Support (BLS) training has demonstrated the benefits of serious games as a method for pretraining among medical students. However, there is little evidence to support these benefits with regard to Advanced Life Support (ALS) training. OBJECTIVE:We compare the effects of a brief precourse ALS preparation using a serious smartphone game on student knowledge, skills, and perceptions in this area with those of conventional ALS training alone. METHODS:A serious game (Resus Days) was developed by a Thai physician based on global ALS clinical practice guidelines. Fifth-year medical students were enrolled and randomized to either the game group or the control group. Participants in both groups attended a traditional ALS lecture, but the game group was assigned to play Resus Days for 1 hour before attending the lecture and were allowed to play as much as they wished during the training course. All students underwent conventional ALS training, and their abilities were evaluated using multiple-choice questions and with hands-on practice on a mannequin. Subject attitudes and perceptions about the game were evaluated using a questionnaire. RESULTS:A total of 105 students participated in the study and were randomly assigned to either the game group (n=52) or the control group (n=53). Students in the game group performed better on the ALS algorithm knowledge posttest than those in the control group (17.22 [SD 1.93] vs 16.60 [SD 1.97], P=.01; adjusted mean difference [AMD] 0.93; 95% CI 0.21-1.66). The game group's pass rate on the skill test was also higher but not to a statistically significant extent (79% vs 66%, P=.09; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.22; 95% CI 0.89-5.51). Students indicated high satisfaction with the game (9.02 [SD 1.11] out of 10). CONCLUSIONS:Engaging in game-based preparation prior to an ALS training course resulted in better algorithm knowledge scores for medical students than attending the course alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Thai Clinical Trials Registry HE611533; https://tinyurl.com/wmbp3q7.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Physicians´ lack of knowledge contributes to underuse of insulin and poor glycemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). Traditional continuing medical education have limited efficacy, and new approaches are required. OBJECTIVE:We report the design of a trial to assess the educational efficacy of InsuOnline, a game for education of primary care physicians (PCPs). The goal of InsuOnline was to improve appropriate initiation and adjustment of insulin for the treatment of DM. InsuOnline was designed to be educationally adequate, self-motivating, and attractive. METHODS:A multidisciplinary team of endocrinologists, experts in medical education, and programmers, was assembled for the design and development of InsuOnline. Currently, we are conducting usability and playability tests, with PCPs and medical students playing the game on a desktop computer. Adjustments will be made based on these results. An unblinded randomized controlled trial with PCPs who work in the city of Londrina, Brazil, will be conducted to assess the educational validity of InsuOnline on the Web. In this trial, 64 PCPs will play InsuOnline, and 64 PCPs will undergo traditional instructional activities (lecture and group discussion). Knowledge on how to initiate and adjust insulin will be assessed by a Web-based multiple choice questionnaire, and attitudes regarding diabetes/insulin will be assessed by Diabetes Attitude Scale 3 at 3 time points-before, immediately after, and 6 months after the intervention. Subjects´ general impressions on the interventions will be assessed by a questionnaire. Software logs will be reviewed. RESULTS:To our knowledge, this is the first research with the aim of assessing the educational efficacy of a computer game for teaching PCPs about insulin therapy in DM. We describe the development criteria used for creating InsuOnline. Evaluation of the game using a randomized controlled trial design will be done in future studies. CONCLUSIONS:We demonstrated that the design and development of a game for PCPs education on insulin is possible with a multidisciplinary team. InsuOnline can be an attractive option for large-scale continuous medical education to help improving PCPs´ knowledge on insulin therapy and potentially improving DM patients´ care. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01759953; http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01759953 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6Dq8Vc7a6).

Project description:BACKGROUND:Tobacco use during pregnancy entails a serious risk to the mother and harmful effects on the development of the child. Europe has the highest tobacco smoking prevalence (19.3%) compared with the 6.8% global mean. Between 20% to 30% of pregnant women used tobacco during pregnancy worldwide. These data emphasize the urgent need for community education and implementation of prevention strategies focused on the risks associated with tobacco use during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention that incorporates a serious game (Tobbstop) to help pregnant smokers quit smoking. METHODS:A two-arm randomized controlled trial enrolled 42 women who visited 2 primary care centers in Catalonia, Spain, between March 2015 and November 2016. All participants were pregnant smokers, above 18 years old, attending consultation with a midwife during the first trimester of pregnancy, and had expressed their desire to stop smoking. Participants were randomized to the intervention (n=21) or control group (n=21). The intervention group was instructed to install the game on their mobile phone or tablet and use it for 3 months. Until delivery, all the participants were assessed on their stage of smoking cessation during their follow-up midwife consultations. The primary outcome was continuous tobacco abstinence until delivery confirmed by the amount of carbon monoxide at each visit, measured with a carboxymeter. RESULTS:Continuous abstinence until delivery outcome was 57% (12/21) in the intervention group versus 14% (3/21) in the control group (hazard ratio=4.31; 95% CI 1.87-9.97; P=.001). The mean of total days without smoking until delivery was higher in the intervention group (mean 139.75, SD 21.76) compared with the control group (mean 33.28, SD 13.27; P<.001). In addition, a Kapplan-Meier survival analysis showed that intervention group has a higher abstinence rate compared with the control group (log-rank test, χ21=13.91; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS:Serious game use is associated with an increased likelihood to maintain abstinence during the intervention period if compared with those not using the game. Pregnancy is an ideal opportunity to intervene and control tobacco use among future mothers. On the other hand, serious games are an emerging technology, growing in importance, which are shown to be a good tool to help quitting smoking during pregnancy and also to maintain this abstinent behavior. However, because of the study design limitations, these outcomes should be interpreted with caution. More research, using larger samples and longer follow-up periods, is needed to replicate the findings of this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01734421; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01734421 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75ISc59pB).

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Dataset Information

Teaching point-of-care ultrasound using a serious game: a randomized controlled trial.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Teaching point-of-care ultrasound using a serious game: a randomized controlled trial.

Similar Datasets

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