Secondary Collaborators
Daniel G. Kahn, MD, Director, Bedside Ultrasound, Internal Medicine Residency Program
Jack Basse, MD, Emergency Medicine, UCLA Health
Daniel Weisman, MFA, Learning Experience Designer, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Simulation Center
Elizabeth Genta,, Operations Manager, UCLA Health Information Technology
Improving Trauma Ultrasound Training through Interactive Virtual Simulation:
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of an E-FAST Module
Our project aims to address the critical need for effective and widely accessible methods to train healthcare providers on how to perform the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (E-FAST). We are currently developing an innovative screen-based virtual simulation training on the E-FAST procedure, and we aim to assess its efficacy through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with medical students and resident physicians.
The E-FAST is a fundamental component of modern trauma care, enabling clinicians to rapidly detect potentially life-threatening internal injuries at the patient bedside using point-of-care ultrasound. Traditional E-FAST training methods, such as in-person demonstrations or simulations, are limited by ultrasound availability, lack of qualified instructors, insufficient simulation resources, demanding clinical schedules, patient care complexities, and geographic barriers. While training videos offer a remotely accessible option, they lack interactivity which can limit learner engagement and knowledge retention. These challenges highlight the need for remote and asynchronous E-FAST training solutions that incorporate interactivity to promote active learning. Screen-based virtual reality (VR) simulations delivered via desktop and mobile platforms offer an interactive, accessible, and scalable solution to address these challenges.
The initial phase of our project will focus on completing the development of our existing E-FAST virtual simulation prototype and ensuring it meets quality and accessibility requirements. Upon completion, we will conduct an RCT employing a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative ultrasound skills assessments with qualitative feedback to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of our virtual training compared to current ultrasound education methods. Study participants will include second through fourth-year medical students from UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, resident physicians from UCLA Health, and learners from the UCLA Space Program.
Successful implementation of our E-FAST training module is anticipated to improve learners’ ultrasound proficiency, increase engagement, and promote retention of essential diagnostic skills. Broader deployment of our virtual E-FAST training to healthcare providers nationally and globally holds the potential to improve clinical decision-making and enhance outcomes for trauma patients.”