What is it about?
Providers who perform diagnostic ultrasound need to be competent, but testing them is difficult. We developed simulators that can measure skill in ultrasound on a mannequin. The simulators' skill metrics are useful for training because they give feedback to learners, and provide an objective, quantitative, and standardized approach for assessing the competence of trainees and providers in practice.
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Why is it important?
Having objective and quantitative metrics of skill is important for training as well as for assessment. Our simulator-based metrics enable immediate feedback, which is a key component of skill mastery. The metrics enable learners to practice self-paced, in a safe environment, away from patient care stress. The feedback is similar to what an expert faculty member might provide without requiring constant faculty oversight or presence, so that faculty time can be reserved for advanced training once basic skills are mastered.
Perspectives
Competence based medical education is an international goal. However it requires a method to measure competence. Because they are objective and quantitative, the simulator-based skill metrics developed at the University of Washington enable competency testing in a manner that can be standardized across the country, so that the test is free from variability and potential bias.
Florence Sheehan
University of Washington School of Medicine
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Simulation for competency assessment in vascular and cardiac ultrasound, Vascular Medicine, February 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1358863x17751656.
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