Background: Fluoroscopy guided interventions are widely used procedures in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Understanding the movement of the needle is part of a resident's initial training when performing these procedures. Needle navigation training is largely gained with fluoroscopy.
Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of ultrasound training can lead to a decrease in time to reach a target under fluoroscopy.
Methods: 32 medical students or residents. Exposure of one group of trainees to a practice session of needle navigation using ultrasound. The control group did not participate in ultrasound training. Time to reach the target during a fluoroscopy guided needle navigation test was measured in both groups.
Results: The mean time to reach the target under fluoroscopy of the students unexposed to an ultrasound training (group 1 control group) was 183 s (standard deviation = 160 s), while that after ultrasound training (group 2 experimental group) was 150,81 s (standard deviation = 96 s) (p = 0,483).
Conclusion: Fluoroscopy needle navigation training was not improved by a 1-h group practice session with in-plane ultrasound needle navigation practice. Further studies need to be done with exposure for residents to a group practice session longer than 1-h.
Keywords: Education; Fluoroscopy; Injection; Medical teaching; Resident education; Ultrasound.
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