Ultrasound Simulation Training for Medical Education

(US Sim cases Trial)

Overseen By Rebecca G Theophanous, MD, MHSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Disqualifiers: Nurses, Technicians, APPs

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial focuses on enhancing how emergency medicine doctors learn to use point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) through a hands-on workshop called the Ultrasound Simulation Case-based Workshop. The goal is to determine if this training improves doctors' understanding and performance of ultrasound tasks, potentially leading to better patient care. The trial will compare doctors' skills and knowledge before and after the workshop. Emergency medicine physicians seeking to enhance their ultrasound skills and knowledge are ideal candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for doctors to advance their skills and directly impact patient care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this ultrasound simulation training is safe for medical education?

Research shows that training using simulations, such as the Ultrasound Simulation Case-based Workshop, is safe and well-received. Studies have demonstrated that these workshops enhance skills without causing harm. For instance, an 8-hour POCUS (point-of-care ultrasound) course increased knowledge and skills in medical providers without safety concerns. This type of training helps medical staff learn more effectively and improve patient care, all without known risks to participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the ultrasound simulation training because it offers a hands-on, immersive learning experience that is not typically available through traditional lectures or textbook study. This method allows emergency physicians to practice and refine their skills in a controlled, risk-free environment, which can lead to better patient outcomes. Additionally, this approach can be easily standardized and replicated, ensuring consistent training quality across different institutions. By integrating real-life scenarios into the training, it helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, potentially leading to more confident and competent physicians.

What evidence suggests that this ultrasound simulation workshop is effective for medical education?

Studies have shown that training with simulations, such as the Ultrasound Simulation Case-based Workshop, can greatly enhance clinical skills and knowledge. For instance, an 8-hour course using online learning and simulations significantly boosted the knowledge of emergency medical service providers. In this trial, Emergency (EM) Physicians will engage in a standardized simulation encounter. Research also shows that simulation training improves doctors' and healthcare workers' proficiency with medical tools and decision-making. This training allows healthcare professionals to learn and practice skills in a realistic yet safe setting. The goal is to enhance their effectiveness in real-life medical situations, leading to better patient care. ^{2 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Rebecca G Theophanous, MD, MHSc

Principal Investigator

Duke University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This clinical trial is designed for emergency medicine physicians at various stages of training. It aims to assess the effectiveness of a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) simulation workshop as an educational tool. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, suggesting that all EM physicians interested in improving their POCUS skills may be eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

Emergency medicine physicians

Exclusion Criteria

Emergency medicine nurses

Emergency medicine technicians

Advanced practice providers (APPs)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Workshop Implementation

Participants engage in a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) simulation case-based workshop

12 months

Multiple sessions during simulation days, resident conferences, or faculty development sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in knowledge and technical skills post-workshop

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Ultrasound Simulation Case-based Workshop

Trial Overview The study tests a case-based ultrasound simulation workshop during resident sim days, focusing on enhancing knowledge and technical skills in emergency ultrasound applications. The impact will be measured by comparing scores before and after the workshop and through post-workshop OSCE assessments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Emergency (EM) Physicians Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

EM physicians will participate in a standardized simulation encounter during simulation days, resident conference, or faculty development sessions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06960837

Ultrasound Simulation Case-based Workshop ... The investigators will also collect demographic data on baseline POCUS scans completed, training level, interest in ultrasound fellowship, monthly performed ...

2. bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-025-07675-w

Effectiveness of a simulation-based point-of-care ultrasound ... Our data suggests that an 8-hour POCUS course, incorporating e-learning and simulation, can significantly improve EMS providers' knowledge of ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11224887/

The impact of simulation-based training in medical education Present case studies and empirical research findings that illustrate the effectiveness of SBT in improving clinical competency and patient ...

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-medical-education-in-emergency-ultrasound-2-2025-65eeb

Ultrasound Simulation Training for Medical Education This study is a prospective cohort study implementing a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) simulation case-based workshop in emergency (EM) physicians at ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S2369376219000254

Introduction of Ultrasound Simulation in Medical Education A total of 41 participants attended the workshop (46% [19/41] physicians, 30% [12/41] residents, 19% [8/41] sonographers, and 5% [2/41] medical students), ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06960837

Ultrasound Simulation Case-based Workshop ... This study is a prospective cohort study implementing a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) simulation case-based workshop in emergency (EM) physicians at ...

7. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/euro-emergencymed/fulltext/2020/08001/28__impact_of_simulation_based_training_on_central.25.aspx

28. Impact of simulation-based training on central venous... Many studies have shown that simulation-based CVC insertion workshops improve residents' competence and patient's safety outcomes. We carried out a simulation- ...