Learning Ultrasound with which tools? How do you choose how to learn or be trained with Ultrasound? Ultrasound training has come a long way from the era of learning on real patients and fellow students. Over a decade ago using real patients and fellow students was a common way to practice ultrasound techniques, but it had limitations (privacy issues, comfort, no ability to do invasive training etc). Now, there are much better solutions that enable students to practice with no limitations. Students can learn ultrasound by utilizing an ultrasound simulator, mannequins, mock probes and real patient cases. There are various ultrasound training solutions in the Medical Simulation market today. In certain countries the traditional use of real patients and volunteers still exists but is gradually decreasing. The progress in simulation capability and the openness of training facilities, universities and hospitals, creates a shift from the traditional method to the advanced approach. The most simple simulation solution in today’s market is a probe and laptop with low resolution images, it provide a cheap and affordable option, more suitable for home-training. Another way is using CGI simulators, where the so called patient ultrasound image is generated by a computer. In this case the ultrasound image looks very nice and artificial, not what the professional user will look for when he needs training. On different level, there are phantoms (each with a specific pathology). This solution requires acquiring a standard ultrasound system with which the phantoms are scanned. It indeed provides a real ultrasound image, since using an ultrasound machine, though limited to the specific pathology structured in the used phantom. The third and most advanced solution is using an Ultrasound Simulator which uses real patient cases (with no personal data), provides both teaches AND simulates variety of scenarios (with normal, abnormal, invasive etc cases). This solution provides the reality in ultrasound simulation. In such training environment the user (graduate, post-graduate, doctors on specific ultrasound courses and other experts) practices on hand-eye coordination, capturing the right ultrasound image and becoming more proficient, before they actually use ultrasound on real patients. One can use the system with no time constraints, its mistake forgiving, instead of making mistakes on real patients, practice on ultrasound (look-alike) system and enhance his capabilities. When using such a simulator the user gains the confidence they need before handling real cases in real life scenarios.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 07:25:40 +0000