Training for Ultrasound Imaging: An Evaluation of SonoGame

Ultrasound examination is an important imaging method used across the medical field (e.g. [1]). However, during medical education, practical training opportunities for ultrasound imaging are not yet widely available, while good potential exists for approaches that employ gamification (e.g. [3, 5]). SonoGame is a hands-on platform for medical students developed to train ultrasound skills using a game-based approach [6, 7]. It provides a step-by-step introduction to ultrasound imaging and aims at improving ultrasound skills. It consists of several mini games that challenge the player to examine, identify, and recreate 2D cross-sectional images of a 3D virtual volume underneath the table top that contains geometric objects (see Fig. 1). SonoGame focuses on learning how to orient in an ultrasound image and on developing the spatial visualization as well as hand-eye coordination skills that are needed for ultrasound imaging. In this contribution, we present and discuss a prospective, single-center study of the effects of SonoGame-based training on ultrasound skills. We recruited 56 medical students without previous practical ultrasound experience and randomly assigned them to either a control or to a SonoGame group. While the control group received no training, the SonoGame group repeatedly got to play the SonoGame over a period of four weeks (four sessions at 30 minutes each). For both groups, individual ultrasound skills as well as spatial cross-sectioning skills [2] were assessed before and after the four weeks. Results: Compared to the control group, the SonoGame group significantly improved in their ultrasound skills, particularly with complex anatomical structures (see Fig. 2), and, post-training, they reported feeling more familiar with and confident in their use of sonography. What is more, they considered SonoGame a valuable supportive tool for ultrasound skills training. For individual spatial cross-sectioning skills, both groups improved from first to second testing, though the extent of improvement did not differ between groups (see Fig. 3). We conclude that SonoGame-based training can usefully supplement conventional ultrasound education of medical students, as it promotes and supports the skill set required for ultrasound examinations.