A prospective case-control study on online teaching of ultrasonography skills to medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: A new Online interactive Ultrasound Teaching (OUT) was developed in our institution in March 2021 during COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: This is a case control study on 65 final year medical students to compare OUT with conventional face-to-face ultrasound tutorials. There were 31 female and 34 male students. Median age was 23 years old (Range 21–30). Students were randomly assigned into two different teaching groups. Competency in conducting ultrasonic exam was assessed by Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills (OSAUS). RESULTS: 32 students were randomized into the control group (face to face teaching) while 33 students were randomized into the case group (OUT). Baseline demographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). The median score of the blinded OSAUS assessment was 5.5 (Range 3–7). There were 4 (6.2%) students who failed in the assessment (scored <4 out of 7), and 10 (15.4%) students scored full marks in the assessment. The medians scores were 5.5 (Range 3–7), and 6 (Range 3–7) (p = 0.8057) in the control and case groups respectively. 6 (18.8%) students in the control group scored full mark, comparing to 4 (12.1%) students in the case group (p = 0.5105). 2 students from each group failed the assessment (p = 1). CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic skills performance was comparable between students who were taught by OUT and conventional face-to-face tutorial.