(159) Effectiveness of a novel digital portable obstetric bedside ultrasound curriculum

A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted at an urban academic center from January-June 2025. OBGYN trainees on a labor and delivery rotation were randomized to either a pocket probe (Butterfly iQ3) that connected to personal devices for image display or traditional ultrasound machines (GE Voluson P8) available on the unit. All participants received a digital obstetric ultrasound curriculum.

The primary outcome was curriculum completion measured by number and type of scans performed. 7 participants per group were needed to detect a mean difference of 18% (alpha 0.05).

Secondary outcomes included knowledge assessment scores, image quality, and perceived workload assessed by a validated survey (NASA Task Load Index). Mann-Whitney, paired T-tests, and chi-square tests were used for analysis.


Results:

23 trainees were enrolled (13 pocket, 10 traditional). Groups were similar in age, training year, pre-curriculum scores, and shift schedules.

The pocket group had significantly higher curriculum completion (median 67% vs 8.3%, p=0.0016, Figure 1). Image quality scores were significantly higher in the pocket group (4.0 vs 3.0, p=0.0003). Post-curriculum knowledge scores were not significantly different between groups.

The pocket group more often rated workload as low/moderate, while controls rated workload high/very high (p=0.046).Lower mental, physical, temporal demand, and lower frustration were seen among those randomized to pocket probes (Figure 2).


Conclusion:
Use of pocket-sized ultrasound probes was associated with significantly greater curriculum

engagement, improved image quality, and lower perceived workload among OBGYN trainees in clinical training environments.