A DOPPLER SIMULATOR FOR VASCULAR ULTRASOUND TRAINING

 描述（由申请人提供）：多普勒超声是用于诊断血管病理的主要且通常是唯一的检查。由于技术技能的差异直接影响手术转诊决策，因此临床上迫切需要确保提供者在该手术中获得并保持技能。我们解决的问题是缺乏一个定量或标准化的方法来评估技能多普勒超声期间或之后的培训。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，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）能够在不需要活体患者的情况下对临床程序进行逼真的测试，2）不仅报告认知技能（知识）的客观和定量指标，还报告执行图像采集时的心理（技术）技能。这些功能是我们的技术所独有的。这项建议的最终目的是使我们的模拟器从原型到全面运作，并证明其有效性的超声技能评估。该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：开发三种血管的测试模块，其诊断取决于多普勒超声检查。目标#2：完成我们的模拟器的验证能力测试。有五种类型的验证证据。我们在第一阶段证明了模拟的准确性。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，使我们的模拟器具有高风险认证测试所需的可靠性。

 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.