To investigate the consistency of ultrasonic measurements by ultrasound beginners using an ultrasound simulator.

In April 2017, 17 first-year residents at the Department of Ultrasound in Peking Union Medical College Hospital who had undergone standardized resident training for six months were included. Thirteen parameters, including the long diameter, transverse diameter, and anteroposterior diameter of thyroid nodules, the long diameter and short diameter of breast nodules, the maximum amniotic fluid depth, and placental thickness, were measured blindly using a virtual ultrasound model. Each parameter was measured twice and compared with those measured by ultrasound experts. Single sample t-test and paired t-test were used to compare the results of beginners with those of experts. A teaching questionnaire was completed, and five Likert scores were used to evaluate the use of virtual ultrasound model in ultrasound training.

The difference between the measurements by ultrasound beginners and those by experts was -2.175-0.54 cm, with statistical significance (t=4.532, P<0.001). For amniotic fluid depth, placental thickness, and kidney length, the measurement differences were statistically significant between beginners and experts (t=-3.395, 2.418, -4.043, all P<0.05). But for the long diameter, transverse diameter, and anteroposterior diameter of thyroid nodules in the right lobe and the long diameter and short diameter of breast solid nodules, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). There was a significant difference between the measurements by No. 11 and No. 14 beginners and those by experts (t=-2.212, 2.320, all P<0.05). After the examination, 70.6% of the beginners (12/17) agreed or strongly agreed that virtual ultrasound training could improve the learning of scanning skills, 94.2% (16/17) agreed or strongly agreed that virtual model training would be more relaxing, and 94.2% (16/17) looked forward to or strongly looked forward to virtual ultrasound training.

The ultrasound simulator can be used to evaluate the consistency of measurements between ultrasonic beginners and experts. It can be used as an effective means of quality control in ultrasound medicine and guide further training.