ABSTRACT Objective To determine the effect of three different teaching methods on left atrial‐to‐aortic ratio (LA:Ao) image acquisition and interpretation, student confidence, and knowledge retention. Design Prospective, educational study. Setting University veterinary teaching hospital. Study Subjects Thirty‐six fourth‐year preclinical veterinary students and three dogs without left atrial enlargement. Interventions Students were randomized into three groups (A, B, and C). All students watched a teaching video on acquiring and interpreting the LA:Ao view. Groups B and C received in‐person teaching. Group C received instructor‐led, hands‐on training. Students completed a confidence survey before the teaching intervention (T0), after the teaching intervention (T1), and 7–8 months later (T2). LA:Ao image acquisition (live dog) and interpretation (from stills) were assessed at T1 and T2. Measurements and Main Results Student confidence and teaching method preferences were assessed using a 5‐point Likert‐type scale at T0, T1, and T2. LA:Ao image acquisition and interpretation were assessed at T1 and T2. Student confidence in image interpretation improved in all groups; only Group C had improved confidence in operating the ultrasound machine. At T1, interpretable LA:Ao views were acquired by two of 10, four of 12, and seven of 12 students from Groups A, B, and C, respectively, and at T2 by two of five, three of six, and four of seven students from Groups A, B, and C, respectively. The median image interpretation test score at T1 was 5/5 (interquartile range IQR: 5), 4/5 (IQR: 4–5), and 4/5 (IQR: 3–5) for Groups A, B, and C, respectively. At T2, the median image interpretation scores were 3/5 (IQR: 2–4), 3.5/5 (IQR: 3–4), and 4/5 (IQR: 3–5) for Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Conclusions LA:Ao image acquisition was achieved in more students following instructor‐led, hands‐on teaching; however, this difference was not significant, possibly due to small group sizes. Video training alone appeared to be adequate for LA:Ao image interpretation.
Siedenburg et al. (Wed,) studied this question.