OBJECTIVE: The objective was to study the effect of initial simulation-based transvaginal ultrasound training compared to only clinical training on the clinical performances of residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) measured at two months into the residency.

METHODS: In a randomized study, new residents in OB-GYN (N = 33) without prior ultrasound experience were included from three teaching hospitals. Participants were allocated to simulation-based training and subsequent clinical training (n = 18) or only clinical training (n = 15). The simulation-based training was performed on a virtual-reality transvaginal ultrasound simulator until an expert performance level was attained followed by training on a pelvic mannequin. After two months of clinical training, one transvaginal ultrasound scan was recorded for assessment of participants' clinical performance. Two blinded ultrasound experts rated the scans using the Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills (OSAUS) scale.

RESULTS: During the two months of clinical training, participants in the intervention and control group completed an average of 57 (SD 41) and 63 (SD 47) scans, respectively (p = 0.67). On the subsequent clinical performance test the intervention group achieved higher OSAUS-scores than the control group (mean 59.1% vs. 37.6%; p < 0.001). A greater proportion of intervention group participants (85.7%) passed a pre-established pass/fail level compared to the controls (8.3%), p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION: Simulation-based ultrasound training leads to substantial improvements in clinical performances that are sustained after two months of clinical training. http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01895868.