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. 2021 Sep 8;21(18):6011.
doi: 10.3390/s21186011.

Magnetic Resonance Simulation in Education: Quantitative Evaluation of an Actual Classroom Experience

Daniel Treceño-Fernández  1 , Juan Calabia-Del-Campo  2 , Fátima Matute-Teresa  3 , Miguel L Bote-Lorenzo  1 , Eduardo Gómez-Sánchez  1 , Rodrigo de Luis-García  1 , Carlos Alberola-López  1
Affiliations

Magnetic Resonance Simulation in Education: Quantitative Evaluation of an Actual Classroom Experience

Daniel Treceño-Fernández et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Magnetic resonance is an imaging modality that implies a high complexity for radiographers. Despite some simulators having been developed for training purposes, we are not aware of any attempt to quantitatively measure their educational performance. The present study gives an answer to the question: Does an MRI simulator built on specific functional and non-functional requirements help radiographers learn MRI theoretical and practical concepts better than traditional educational method based on lectures? Our study was carried out in a single day by a total of 60 students of a main hospital in Madrid, Spain. The experiment followed a randomized pre-test post-test design with a control group that used a traditional educational method, and an experimental group that used our simulator. Knowledge level was assessed by means of an instrument with evidence of validity in its format and content, while its reliability was analyzed after the experiment. Statistical differences between both groups were measured. Significant statistical differences were found in favor of the participants who used the simulator for both the post-test score and the gain (difference between post-test and pre-test scores). The effect size turned out to be significant as well. In this work we evaluated a magnetic resonance simulation paradigm as a tool to help in the training of radiographers. The study shows that a simulator built on specific design requirements is a valuable complement to traditional education procedures, backed up with significant quantitative results.

Keywords: MRI; magnetic resonance imaging; medical training/educational tool; radiographer training; simulator system.

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Conflict of interest statement

This MR simulator has been carried out at the University of Valladolid and has been partially funded by the company Giveme5D, Valladolid, Spain. A technology transfer agreement has been signed by both parties. The second author is the main shareholder of this company; he has provided radiological guidance throughout the simulator design process.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Instrument page 1 of 4.
Figure A2
Figure A2
Instrument page 2 of 4.
Figure A3
Figure A3
Instrument page 3 of 4.
Figure A4
Figure A4
Instrument page 4 of 4.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Service-oriented architecture (SOA) Server.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Web-based MRI Simulator. Image of the main panel of the simulator and two pop-up panels: (a) The panel for the location of the slices and (b) the viewer of the images obtained.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Block simulation scheme.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Study Design. Letter X refers to the experimental group, while C refers to the control group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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