Effectiveness of the computer enhanced visual learning method in teaching the society for fetal urology hydronephrosis grading system for urology trainees

ObjectiveA novel educational tool, Computer Enhanced Visual Learning (CEVL), has been used to improve resident performance of routine orchiopexy. Our objective was to assess the effect of a CEVL teaching module on the diagnostic accuracy of medical trainees in grading neonatal hydronephrosis on ultrasound using the Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) grading system.MethodsThe authors designed an online-based computerized tutorial to teach the grading of hydronephrosis using multimedia, practice cases and a grading checklist. In a crossover design trial, 29 residents and medical students were asked to grade 16 standard neonatal renal ultrasounds using the SFU grading system before and after viewing the web-based e-learning module. Primary outcome was percent improvement in grading accuracy.ResultsThe mean percentages of ultrasounds that were graded correctly before and after CEVL intervention were 51% and 72% respectively (mean improvement 21%, 95% CI 3–13%, P < 0.001). Residents graded correctly 56% of ultrasounds before and 74% after CEVL (mean 18%, 7–28%, P = 0.002). Medical students graded correctly 37% before and 69% after CEVL (mean improvement 32%, 95% CI 16–48%, P = 0.002).ConclusionExposure to a computer-based learning module based on the CEVL platform improved urology residents’ and medical students’ correct assignment of SFU hydronephrosis grading to newborn renal ultrasounds.