A DOPPLER SIMULATOR FOR VASCULAR ULTRASOUND TRAINING

 描述(由申请人提供)：多普勒超声是诊断血管病变的主要方法，通常也是唯一的方法。由于技术技能的差异直接影响手术转诊决定，因此有强烈的临床需要确保在这一过程中同时提供获得和保持技能。我们解决的问题是缺乏一种定量或标准化的方法来评估培训期间或之后的多普勒超声技能。我们在第二阶段的目标是开发和验证血管多普勒超声模拟器，用于基于模拟器的能力测试。我们的模拟器的功能使其特别适合能力测试，因为它1)能够在不需要现场患者的情况下对临床过程进行现实测试，2)不仅报告认知技能(知识)的客观和定量指标，而且还报告执行图像采集的精神运动(技术)技能的客观和定量指标。这些功能是我们技术所独有的。这项建议的最终目的是使我们的模拟器从原型进入完全运行，并证明其在超声技能评估中的有效性。这一演示将证明基于模拟器的能力测试的可行性，并使这项新技术满足执行认证的专业协会的要求。我们的具体目标是：目标1：开发诊断依赖于多普勒超声检查的三条血管的测试模块。目标2：完成我们的模拟器的能力测试验证。有五种类型的验证证据。我们在第一阶段演示了模拟的准确性。我们将在第二阶段收集剩余的证据。目标#3：将第一阶段开发的软件从原型转换为生产质量代码，以使我们的模拟器获得高风险认证测试所必需的可靠性。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Doppler ultrasound is relied upon as the primary and often the only test used to diagnose vascular pathology. Because variations in technical skill directly impact surgical referral decisions, there is a strong clinical need to ensure that provides both attain and maintain skills in this procedure. The problem we address is the lack of a quantitative or standardized method for assessing skill in Doppler ultrasound during or following training. Our objective in Phase II is to develop and validate a simulator of vascular Doppler ultrasound, for simulator-based competency testing. The features of our simulator make it uniquely suitable for competency testing because it 1) enables realistic testing of the clinical procedure without requiring live patients, and 2) reports objective and quantitative metrics not only of cognitive skill (knowledge) but also of psychomotor (technical) skill in performing image acquisition. These features are unique to our technology. The ultimate aim of this proposal is to bring our simulator from prototype to fully- operational, and to demonstrate its validity for ultrasound skill assessment. That demonstration will prove the feasibility of simulator-based competency testing as well as bring this new technology to meet the requirements of professional societies that perform certification. Our Specific Aims are: Aim #1: To develop test modules for three blood vessels whose diagnosis depends on Doppler ultrasound examinations. Aim #2: To complete the validation of our simulator for competency-testing. There are five types of validation evidence. We demonstrated simulation accuracy in Phase I. We will collect the remaining evidence in Phase II. Aim #3: To convert the software developed in Phase I from prototype to production quality code to give our simulator the reliability essential for high-stake certification testing.