Utilizing 3-Dimensional Cardiac Models With Point-of-Care Ultrasound Video Tutorials to Improve Medical Student Education: A Double-Blinded Randomized Control Study

Introduction Ultrasound is a rapidly expanding imaging modality that many medical schools are incorporating into a structured curriculum. Learning both anatomy and ultrasound imaging simultaneously is intuitively challenging. This double-blinded, randomized control study examined the effect of utilizing three-dimensional (3d) cardiac models within an ultrasound video tutorial in order to achieve improved cardiac ultrasound anatomy education. Methods Thirty-nine (39) first- and second-year medical students at a single medical school voluntarily participated. The control group watched a video tutorial on cardiac ultrasound anatomy while the experimental group watched a similar video tutorial that also included a 3d cardiac model. The effect was measured with a multiple-choice test that included a sub-analysis of ultrasound principles. The test was unique in that no text or context clues were provided on the reference images, further challenging anatomic identification. Results The findings of the study included a p-value of 0.73 for the ultrasound principles section and a p-value of 0.77 for the cardiac anatomy. There was no statistical difference in the primary outcome or in the subgroup analysis. Post-hoc analysis demonstrated the study was underpowered. Conclusions This study is the first of its kind to utilize an innovative testing method that holds promise for future research in regards to utilizing 3d models with ultrasound education. The study was underpowered, therefore no definitive conclusions about the utility of 3d cardiac models in the educational process can be ascertained.