Training medical students to perform thoracentesis using augmented reality

Improvement to Perform Thoracocentesis After a Specific Training in Medical Students With the Supervised Use of an Augmented Reality Simulator

This study is testing if using augmented reality training helps medical students perform thoracentesis better than traditional training methods.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 340 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Strasbourg, France (Academic / other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05960747 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study evaluates how medical students improve their skills in performing thoracentesis after training with an augmented reality simulator compared to traditional training methods. The study involves medical students from the University Hospital of Strasbourg who are performing their first thoracentesis on patients requiring the procedure. Surveys will be used post-procedure to assess patient pain, anxiety levels, and the students' performance during the procedure. The goal is to determine the effectiveness of augmented reality in enhancing medical training.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are medical students in their 4th to 6th year of training with no prior experience in thoracentesis.

Not a fit: Patients who have previously undergone pleural procedures or have specific ultrasound criteria indicating high or low-volume pleural effusions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance the training of medical students, leading to better patient outcomes during thoracentesis procedures.

How similar studies have performed: While augmented reality in medical training is a growing field, this specific approach to thoracentesis training has not been widely tested, making it a novel investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Medical students :

Inclusion criteria:

* Medical students between the 4th and 6th year of their medical course, working in the department of respirology at the University hospital of Strasbourg, France, without any prior experience of thoracocentesis.
* Older than 18 years old
* No opposition to participate to the study (signed consent form).

Exclusion criteria:

\- Student with a prior experience of pleural procedure (chest tube, thoracocentesis).

Patients :

Inclusion criteria:

* Patients requiring a first-time thoracentesis in routine care.
* Older than 18 years old.
* Speaking and understanding French.
* Valid health insurance.
* No opposition to participate to the study (signed consent form).

Exclusion criteria:

* Patient with previous experience of pleural procedure (thoracocentesis, chest tube…).
* Patient having a high-volume pleural effusion according to radiological/ultrasound criteria.
* Patient with low-volume pleural effusion according to radiological/ultrasound criteria.
* Patient with poor clinical tolerance of the pleural effusion(respiratory instability, dependence on ventilation machine with positive expiratory pressure…).
* Patients with higher risk of complication during the procedure (BMI \> 35 kg/m², with increased risk of bleeding…).
* Contraindication to the use of Lidocaine.
* Local infection.
* Impossibility to provide detailed information to the patient.
* Subject under legal protection.

Where this trial is running

Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin and 1 other locations

• Hopitaux Universitaire de Strasbourg — Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, France (Recruiting)
• Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg — Strasbourg, France (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Benjamin RENAUD-PICARD

Conditions Pleural Effusion; Frist Time Indication to Perform a Thoracentesis; Medical Student Training; Thoracentesis; Augmented virtual reality simulator; Medical student training