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ISRCTN
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ISRCTN81149048
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ClinicalTrials.gov identifier
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Public title
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Comparison of student radiographers abilities to estimate distance, acurately collimate the x-ray beam and their knowledge of equipment in a real x-ray room after training with a screen based computer simulator
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Scientific title
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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
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Acronym
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SIMXRAY
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Serial number at source
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128/08
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Study hypothesis
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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.
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Ethics approval
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Teesside University School of Health and Social Care Research Governance and Ethics Committee approved on the 29th July 2008 (ref: 128/08)
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Study design
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Prospective single centre single blinded randomised within-subject repeated measures experimental trial
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Countries of recruitment
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United Kingdom
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Disease/condition/study domain
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Radiography skills training
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Participants - inclusion criteria
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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.
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Participants - exclusion criteria
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1. No previous experience in a radiographic environment
2. Capable of giving informed consent
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Anticipated start date
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22/09/2009
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Anticipated end date
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11/11/2010
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Status of trial
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Ongoing |
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Patient information material
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Can be found at http://healthbase.tees.ac.uk/pcdoc/VR_study_Information_about_the_research_for_proposal.pdf
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Target number of participants
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40 (assuming a 50% consent rate)
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Interventions
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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.
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Primary outcome measure(s)
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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.
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Secondary outcome measure(s)
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No secondary outcome measures
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Sources of funding
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Teesside University (UK)
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Trial website
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Publications
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Contact name
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Prof
Chris
Colbourn
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Address
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School of Health and Social Care
Teesside University
Borough Road
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City/town
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Middlesbrough
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Zip/Postcode
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TS1 3BA
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Country
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United Kingdom
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Tel
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+44 (0)1642 384100 ext. 2953
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Fax
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+44 (0)1642 384105
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Email
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Chris.Colbourn@tees.ac.uk
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Sponsor
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Teesside University (UK)
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Address
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School of Health and Social Care
Borough Road
Middlesbrough
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City/town
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Teesside
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Zip/Postcode
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TS1 3BA
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Country
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United Kingdom
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Sponsor website:
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http://www.tees.ac.uk
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Date applied
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28/07/2009
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Last edited
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26/10/2009
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Date ISRCTN assigned
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26/10/2009
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