Enhancing Anesthesia Training: Integrating Visual Ultrasound and Case-Based Learning

Background: Ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, which provide precise diagnosis and treatment, are critical for anesthesiologists to master. In particular, for beginners under anesthesia, proficiency in ultrasound is challenging. Objective: This study aimed to compare the teaching effects of visual ultrasound combined with case-based learning and the traditional lecture method in anesthesia training for undergraduate interns. Methods: Thirty anesthesia undergraduate interns from the Ultrasound Department at Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, trained from January 2022 to March 2024, were selected as participants. They were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n=15), which received visual ultrasound instruction combined with case-based learning, and the control group (n=15), which received traditional teaching methods. The effects of the teaching methods were evaluated through a combination of theoretical exams, ultrasonic map recognition, and a multidimensional questionnaire. An independent sample t test was used for statistical analysis in this study. Results: The experimental group demonstrated superior performance in theory assessment and ultrasonic map recognition results after training [(75.77±4.51) vs. (89.23±3.76) and (74.70±2.71) vs. (90.33±1.95)], indicating particular strengths (P<0.05). Additionally, course evaluation surveys indicated that teaching satisfaction was markedly higher in the experimental group than in the control group ( P <0.05). Conclusion: Integrating visual ultrasound with case-based learning significantly enhances both the teaching efficiency and practical clinical skills of students in anesthesia training.