Comparison of Web- Versus Classroom-based Basic Ultrasound and Extended Focused Assessment With Sonography for Trauma (EFAST) Training in Two European Hospitals

Comparison of Web- Versus Classroom-based Basic Ultrasound and EFAST Training in Two European Hospitals

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01040767

Enrollment

Registered

2009-12-30

Start date

2008-11-30

Completion date

2009-02-28

Last updated

2009-12-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Learning

Keywords

Ultrasound education, Blended learning, Distance education, Trauma ultrasound, FAST

Brief summary

Study Objective: Training physicians in new skills via classroom-based teaching has inherent costs and time constraints. We sought to evaluate whether web-based didactics result in similar knowledge improvement and retention of basic ultrasound principles and the EFAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) compared with the traditional method. Methods: Physicians from two German emergency departments were randomized into a classroom group with traditional lectures and a web group that watched narrated lectures online. All participants completed a pre- and post-test, and a second post-test eight weeks later. Both groups underwent hands-on training after the first post-test. A control group completed the two initial tests without didactic intervention.

Interventions

OTHERDidactic training in basic ultrasound and the EFAST

Physicians in the classroom group (class) listened to traditional lectures, while the web group (web) watched narrated lectures online. All participants completed a pre- and post-test, and a second post-test eight weeks later. Both groups underwent hands-on training after the first post-test.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Physicians currently practicing in a German emergency department * Age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion criteria

* Inability to participate in all aspects of the study prior to study begin * Control group: Subjects who did not complete the pre-test

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Mean test scores by didactic group for three consecutive multiple choice tests	November 2008 - February 2009

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Participant satisfaction with training and reported comfort with ultrasound use after training	December 2008 - February 2009

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026