Evaluation of an artisanal veterinary simulator for eco-guided needle stick training

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate an artisanal simulator for training veterinarians in ultrasound-guided puncture in Quito, between July-September 2022. Methodology, there were 5 artisanal simulators developed with different ecotextures such as: pregnant uterus, blood vessels, soft tissue, foreign body inclusions and cysts, these were placed in 500ml white foam containers, in a dark grape-flavored commercial gelatin base, with corn grits in order to simulate different echogenicities and a germidal® antiseptic, they were delivered to five specialized veterinary ultrasonography centers from Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador. The methodology is quantitative, applying a standardized questionnaire with ten closed-type questions, delivered to veterinary sonographers of these centers. The statistical analysis was carried out using measures of central tendency and analyzing the percentages that determined the conclusions. Through the SPSS® program, preparing tables and 3D graphs with the results; proceeding to interpret them generating the conclusions. Results:  First ,60% of those surveyed are willing to use a home simulator, 20% would probably use it and the remaining 20% would not use it because they do not consider it attractive. Second, 40% would prefer to use this simulator over a commercial one, which according to (Pereira da Silva et al., 2015),  it depends on the teaching center and its training needs, Third, 80% do not have simulators, while 100% agree that the use of a simulator improves the learning of ultrasound-guided punctures, considering that training in degree It is not enough to say of 80% of those surveyed, Finally, in the same way, 80% state that the simulator has a good durability of 90 days.  Conclusions: 80% of the imaging doctors concluded that the simulator (phantom) shows acoustic properties like those of animals, allowing training in ultrasonography-guided sampling.