Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Prof Chris Colbourn
ORCID ID
Contact details
School of Health and Social Care
Teesside University
Borough Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom
+44 1642 384100 ext. 2953
Chris.Colbourn@tees.ac.uk
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
128/08
Study information
Scientific title
Prospective monocentric blinded randomised controlled trial of a tutor-facilitated screen-based computer simulated virtual radiographic environment compared with tutor-supported groupwork in a radiography skills lab
Acronym
SIMXRAY
Study hypothesis
Training in a screen based computer simulated virtual radiographic environment improves participants distance estimation, collimation accuracy and equipment knowledge as measured in a real x-ray room.
Ethics approval
Teesside University School of Health and Social Care Research Governance and Ethics Committee, 29/07/2008, ref: 128/08
Study design
Prospective single centre single blinded randomised within-subject repeated measures experimental trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Diagnostic
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Radiography skills training
Intervention
The intervention group will attend eight hours of screen-based computer simulation workshops (n = 20) facilitated by a tutor. There will be sessions, split into three 45-minute labs, once a week for three weeks (the simuation is a commercially available product, ProjectionVR 3.3, offered by Shaderware Ltd, UK).
The control group will participate in nine hours of small group skills labs in a real radiography room (n = 6) facilitated by a tutor. There will be an initial one hour introduction, followed by two four hour labs; session frequency varies due to individual small group timetables. All three sessions will be completed within four weeks.
During this trial period, both groups will attend all other lectures on the course as normal, but this will not include any further time in the radiography room or in clinical placement.
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
1. Ability to name five parts of real radiography equipment as indicated by the assessor
2. Skill in using equipment in a real radiography room, measured by time taken to complete two standardised tasks
3. Ability to estimate source to image distance and collimate to specific standard sizes, observed by measuring set areas and distances against the target areas and distances
These observations will be repeated before and after the interventions. Participants will be given the opportunity to provide a written comment on both methods of learning at the end of the trial, this will not exceed 200 words.
Secondary outcome measures
No secondary outcome measures
Overall trial start date
22/09/2009
Overall trial end date
11/11/2010
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
Two cohorts (approximately 40 students each) enrolled on a pre-registration diagnostic radiography course will be offered the chance to volunteer. All aged 18 - 50 years, both male and female.
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
40 (assuming a 50% consent rate)
Participant exclusion criteria
1. No previous experience in a radiographic environment
2. Capable of giving informed consent
Recruitment start date
22/09/2009
Recruitment end date
11/11/2010
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Teesside University
Borough Road
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
Teesside University (UK)
Sponsor details
School of Health and Social Care
Borough Road
Middlesbrough
Teesside
TS1 3BA
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Teesside University (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Available on request
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary