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A Web-Based Educational Magnetic Resonance Simulator: Design, Implementation and Testing

  • Education & Training
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Abstract

A new web-based education-oriented magnetic resonance (MR) simulator is presented. We have identified the main requirements that this simulator should comply with, so that trainees can face useful practical tasks such as setting the exact slice position and its properties, selecting the correct protocol or fitting the parameters to acquire an image. The tool follows the client-server model. The client contains the interface that mimics the console of a real machine and several of its features. The server stores anatomical models and executes the bulk of the simulation. This cross-platform simulator has been used in two real educational scenarios. The acceptance of the tool has been measured using two criteria, namely, the System Usability Scale and the Likelihood to Recommend, both with satisfactory results. Therefore, we conclude that given the potential of the tool, it may play a relevant role for the training of MRI operators and other involved personnel.

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Notes

  1. https://www.seram.es/

  2. https://angularjs.org/

  3. https://itk.org/

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Acknowledgments

This work has been funded in part by the Junta de Castilla y León, Spain, and by the company Giveme5D, Valladolid, Spain. The authors would like to thank the SERAM, the Hospital San Carlos as well as Fátima Matute, MD, and Prof. José Ramón Casar Corredera, PhD, for their invaluable help to carry out the educational experiments. We also acknowledge grant TEC2017-82408-R.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain

    Daniel Treceño-Fernández, Miguel L. Bote-Lorenzo, Eduardo Gómez Sánchez, Rodrigo de Luis-García & Carlos Alberola-López

  2. Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valladolid, Spain

    Juan Calabia-del-Campo

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  1. Daniel Treceño-Fernández
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  2. Juan Calabia-del-Campo
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  3. Miguel L. Bote-Lorenzo
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  4. Eduardo Gómez Sánchez
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  5. Rodrigo de Luis-García
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  6. Carlos Alberola-López
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel Treceño-Fernández.

Ethics declarations

This work has been carried out at the University of Valladolid and has been partially funded by the company Giveme5D, Valladolid, Spain. A technology transfer agreement has been signed by both parties. The second author is the main shareholder of this company; he has provided radiological guidance throughout the simulator design process.

All information related to the tests described in the paper was obtained anonymously and with the participants consent to use this information for research purposes.

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Treceño-Fernández, D., Calabia-del-Campo, J., Bote-Lorenzo, M.L. et al. A Web-Based Educational Magnetic Resonance Simulator: Design, Implementation and Testing. J Med Syst 44, 9 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-019-1470-7

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