Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 3 “Teaching the Teachers” ultrasound (US) training programs.
Methods: Ultrasound education was provided to physicians from Central and Eastern Europe (Group 1; n=112), Subsaharan Africa (Group 2; n=12) and the Caribbean, Central and Latin America (Group 3; n=12). Students received three months of training at an academic US facility in the USA. They were required to take uncued examinations including questions with and without US images. Exams were given to all students at the beginning of the training program (pre-test), at the end of the program (post-test) and follow-up tests approximately 6-months after returning to their home countries. From these Groups physicians were selected to establish affiliated training programs in their countries.
Results: Mean test scores adjusted relative to multiple-choice examinations for Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively were: Pre-test; 40%, 73%, 54%; Post-test; 84%, 92%, 79%; and Follow-up; 89%, 94%, 80%. The improvement in pre- to post-test scores was statistically significant (p≤ 0.001). Forty affiliated US training programs were established; 24 from Group 1, 9 from Group 2, and 7 from Group 3.
Conclusions: Statistical analysis of the test scores confirms the effectiveness of these Teaching the Teachers US training programs. Improvement on follow-up test scores suggests retention of knowledge.
Acknowledgement: These programs were the result of a grant from the Open Society Institute (Group 1) and RSNA Research and Education Foundation Grants (Groups 2 and 3).