Effects of transesophageal echocardiography simulator training on learning and performance in cardiovascular medicine fellows

Background The role of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) simulation in cardiology fellows' learning is unknown. Standard TEE training at the authors' institution occurs during the second of 3 clinical years. Fellows spend 2 months in the TEE laboratory learning through hands-on experience. The addition of TEE simulation to this experience may improve proficiency, speed learning, and increase fellows' comfort with TEE. This study was designed to compare methods of TEE simulator training with standard training. Methods Group A ( n = 8) consisted of fellows who had completed standard TEE training. Fellows starting their second clinical year were randomly assigned to group B ( n = 10), simulator training during month 1, or group C ( n = 9), simulator training during month 2. All groups completed 2 months of standard TEE training. All groups underwent assessment of TEE performance and a self-assessment of ability and comfort level with TEE. Results Groups B and C had higher total assessment scores than group A. Groups B and C had higher numbers of views achieved without assistance ( P = .01). After month 1, group B had higher total scores and number of views achieved without assistance compared with group C ( P = .02 and P = .02, respectively). The length of time of the examination tended to be lower for group B, and fellows in group B had greater comfort with TEE than those in group C ( P = .01). Conclusions These data suggest that TEE simulator training improves proficiency and helps speed learning and comfort with TEE.