Assessment of a new e-learning system on thorax, trachea, and lung ultrasound.

Background. Lung ultrasound has become an emerging tool in acute and critical care medicine. Combined theoretical and hands-on training has been required to teach ultrasound diagnostics. Current computer technology allows for display, explanation, and animation of information in a remote-learning environment. Objective. Development and assessment of an e-learning program for lung ultrasound. Methods. An interactive online tutorial was created. A prospective learning success study was conducted with medical students using a multiple-choice test (Trial A). This e-learning program was used as preparation for a certified course followed by an evaluation of trained doctors (Trial B) by linear analogue scales. Pretests were compared with postcourse tests and sustainability tests as well as a posttest of a one-day custom classroom training. Results. In Trial A, during the learning success study (n = 29), the increase of correct answers was 11.7 to 17/20 in the post-test and to 16.6/20 in the sustainability test (relative change 45.1%, P < 0.0001). E-learning almost equalled scores of classroom-based training regarding gain and retention of factual knowledge. In Trial B, nineteen participating doctors found a 79.5% increase of knowledge (median, 95% CI: 69%; 88%). Conclusion. The basics of lung ultrasound can be taught in a highly effective manner using e-learning.

Coupling of H1 to a central laboratory computer, automated evaluation of instrument alarms.

Everyone who has worked with an H1 from Technicon knows that it pours out a vast number of asterisks and error flags and that the same information is hidden in different places. After comparing a great number of samples from H1 with manual methods, we found that we could reduce the number of alarms of medical significance to about 20. So we built a microcomputer which sends the test results, the asterisks and 20 user defined alarm flags to the host computer where the verification takes place. The verification program automatically approves of tests where no alarms, asterisks or high or low values occur. Tests with any kind of alarm or asterisk are displayed. Doubtful results are automatically deleted following specified rules, the meaning of the asterisks can be studied on a switch-screen like on H1, and the technician can take the appropriate action, microscopy, rerun or checking H1.