Biomaterial Database

A randomized trial of simulation-based versus conventional training of dental student skill at interpreting spatial information in radiographs. 2007

Tore A Nilsson, and Leif R Hedman, and Jan B Ahlqvist

From the Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. tore.nilsson@odont.umu.se

BACKGROUND A radiology simulator has been developed. We tested the simulator with students in an oral radiology program for training interpretation of spatial relations in radiographs utilizing parallax. The aim of the study was to compare learning outcome regarding interpretative skill after training in the simulator vs. after conventional training. METHODS Fifty-seven dental students voluntarily participated in a randomized experimental study. The participants' proficiency in interpretation of spatial information in radiographs and their visual-spatial ability was assessed. Proficiency was assessed by a test instrument designed by the authors and visual-spatial ability with the Mental Rotations Test, version A (MRT-A). Randomization to training group was based on pre-training proficiency test results. The experimental group trained in the simulator and the control group received conventional training. Training lasted for 90 minutes for both groups. Immediately after training a second proficiency test was performed. RESULTS The proficiency test results were significantly higher after training for the experimental group (P < or = 0.01), but not for the control group. Univariate variance analysis of difference in proficiency test score revealed a significant interaction effect (P = 0.03) between training group and MRT-A category; in the experimental group there was a stronger training effect among students with low level of MRT-A. CONCLUSIONS Training in the simulator improved skill in interpreting spatial information in radiographs when evaluated immediately after training. For individuals with low visual-spatial ability simulator based training seems to be more beneficial than conventional training.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007091	Image Processing, Computer-Assisted	A technique of inputting two-dimensional or three-dimensional images into a computer and then enhancing or analyzing the imagery into a form that is more useful to the human observer.	Biomedical Image Processing,Computer-Assisted Image Processing,Digital Image Processing,Image Analysis, Computer-Assisted,Image Reconstruction,Medical Image Processing,Analysis, Computer-Assisted Image,Computer-Assisted Image Analysis,Computer Assisted Image Analysis,Computer Assisted Image Processing,Computer-Assisted Image Analyses,Image Analyses, Computer-Assisted,Image Analysis, Computer Assisted,Image Processing, Biomedical,Image Processing, Computer Assisted,Image Processing, Digital,Image Processing, Medical,Image Processings, Medical,Image Reconstructions,Medical Image Processings,Processing, Biomedical Image,Processing, Digital Image,Processing, Medical Image,Processings, Digital Image,Processings, Medical Image,Reconstruction, Image,Reconstructions, Image
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009055	Mouth	The oval-shaped oral cavity located at the apex of the digestive tract and consisting of two parts: the vestibule and the oral cavity proper.	Oral Cavity,Cavitas Oris,Cavitas oris propria,Mouth Cavity Proper,Oral Cavity Proper,Vestibule Oris,Vestibule of the Mouth,Cavity, Oral
D011861	Radiography, Dental	Radiographic techniques used in dentistry.	Dental Radiography
D002983	Clinical Competence	The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care.	Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D003198	Computer Simulation	Computer-based representation of physical systems and phenomena such as chemical processes.	Computational Modeling,Computational Modelling,Computer Models,In silico Modeling,In silico Models,In silico Simulation,Models, Computer,Computerized Models,Computer Model,Computer Simulations,Computerized Model,In silico Model,Model, Computer,Model, Computerized,Model, In silico,Modeling, Computational,Modeling, In silico,Modelling, Computational,Simulation, Computer,Simulation, In silico,Simulations, Computer
D003479	Curriculum	A course of study offered by an educational institution.	Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D003813	Dentistry	The profession concerned with the teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures, and the diagnosis and treatment of their diseases including prevention and the restoration of defective and missing tissue.
D004521	Educational Measurement	The assessing of academic or educational achievement. It includes all aspects of testing and test construction.	Assessment, Educational,Graduate Records Examination,Educational Assessment,Examination, Graduate Records,Measurement, Educational,Assessments, Educational,Educational Assessments,Educational Measurements,Examinations, Graduate Records,Graduate Records Examinations,Measurements, Educational