Optical ultrasound simulation-based training in obstetric sonography

Abstract

Ultrasound is an imaging modality that is highly operator dependent. This article reviews the challenges in learning how to perform obstetric sonography, as well as the processes necessary to acquire expert performance skills in sonography. Simulation-based education and learning, and the value of medical simulation are also discussed. Ultrasound simulators are an effective means of teaching obstetric sonography, because it provides training, deliberate practice, and performance evaluation/feedback which allows continuous and critical self-evaluation. We review evidence that simulation can improve performance in obstetric ultrasound examination, review current simulators, and discuss the current problems/gaps in ultrasound simulation. Optical positioning ultrasound simulation is a novel high-fidelity simulation learning system, which addresses many of these problems/gaps and is introduced for the first time here.

Keywords:

• Education
• OPUS
• pregnancy
• simulator
• teaching

Acknowledgments

Dr. Romero has contributed to this work as part of his official duties as an employee of the United States Federal Government. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the United States.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by the Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services; and in part with federal funds from the NICHD, NIH, under contract [No. HHSN275201300006C].