MedDataX Logo

Learning Retention in Radiograph Interpretation

NCT ID: NCT03370900

Last Updated: 2023-11-22

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

233 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2014-11-01

Study Completion Date

2016-06-15

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Learning retention after the deliberate practice of radiograph interpretation may be challenging for image types which are common enough to be clinically relevant but not so common that proficiency can be sustained through clinical practice. This is especially relevant for radiographs such as paediatric elbow films (EXR) that carry high risks for the patient if pathology is missed. Building on prior research in this area, this study will develop an innovative computer learning application for paediatric EXR interpretation. After an initial learning period, this study will quantitatively determine the rate of skill decay and the optimal timing for refresher-education.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Objectives Learning retention after the deliberate practice of radiograph interpretation may be challenging for image types which are common enough to be clinically relevant but not so common that proficiency can be sustained through clinical practice. This is especially relevant for radiographs such as paediatric elbow films (EXR) that carry high risks for the patient if pathology is missed. Building on our prior research in this area, this study will develop an innovative computer learning application for paediatric EXR interpretation. After an initial learning period, this study will quantitatively determine the rate of skill decay and the optimal timing for refresher-education.

Design A prospective cohort design with purposive sampling will be used to develop the EXR education intervention. A four arm randomized control trial will be used to test for the outcomes of skill decay and optimal timing of refresher education.

Setting The education intervention will be developed at two tertiary care children's hospitals. Study participants will include physicians from two large paediatric education networks in the United States (Paediatric Outcomes in Simulation Education) and Canada (Paediatric Emergency Research Canada).

Statistical analysis For the primary analysis, a four-group multi-level model with time-points nested within participants will be used. Secondary analyses will include a time series approach within each block of 20 test EXR to check for sequential effects, and between each block to determine whether we can efficiently model skill decay curves that can separate the underlying learning attrition curve from the effects of "boluses" of education.

Conclusion This study anticipates that learners will increase their learning of elbow radiographs by participating in the deliberate practice of radiographs, with skill decay over time that will be mitigated by refresher education. The results will allow evidence based recommendations regarding refresher education for learning from item banks of radiographs.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Fractures, Bone

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

This was a four arm randomized control trial. All participants completed an 80-case deliberately practiced learning set of pediatric elbow radiographs followed by an immediate 20-case post-test. Following this, Group 1 had no testing until 12 months; Groups 2, 3, and 4 had testing (20 cases without feedback) every 2 months until 12 months, but Group 3 also had refresher education (20 cases with feedback) at six months while Group 4 had refresher education at two, six, and ten months.
Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
All analyses were blinded to group assignment

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Learning and Assessment at 12 months

Study participants will complete an 80 case learning set followed by a 20-case post test. The study intervention in this group is a 20-case test at 12 months.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Testing Every Two Months

Study participants will complete an 80 case learning set followed by a 20-case post test. Study participants in this group will receive the following study interventions: 20-case post tests without any feedback at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Testing

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants either received 20 case testing with or without feedback

Low Bolus Feedback

Study participants will complete an 80 case learning set followed by a 20-case post test. Study participants in this group will receive the following study interventions: 20-case post tests at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months. At 6 months, the 20-case post-test will be delivered with feedback.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Testing

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants either received 20 case testing with or without feedback

High Bolus Feedback

Study participants will complete an 80 case learning set followed by a 20-case post test. Study participants in this group will receive the following study interventions: 20-case post tests at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 months. At 4, 8, and 12 months, the 20-case post-test will be delivered with feedback.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Testing

Intervention Type OTHER

Participants either received 20 case testing with or without feedback

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Testing

Participants either received 20 case testing with or without feedback

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Pediatric and emergency medicine residents enrolled in an accredited residency in Canada and the United States

Exclusion Criteria

* None
Maximum Eligible Age

70 Minutes

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

New York University

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

St. Justine's Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

The Hospital for Sick Children

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Kathy Boutis

Physician and Senior Associate Scientist

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Kathy Boutis

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

The Hospital for Sick Children

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

1000028986

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id