Evaluation of an e-learning program for the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis with rectal water contrast transvaginal ultrasonography (rectosonography)

International audienceThis study aimed to evaluate the value of an e-learning program for the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis lesions using rectal water contrast transvaginal ultrasonography (rectosonography/RSG). Theoretical RSG training using videos with a commentary was offered online to healthcare professionals involved in ultrasound screening for endometriosis. A test (without correction) with 24 RSG video loops was used to assess the participants' baseline level before the training and their improvement afterwards. If the success rate post-training was below 80%, the participant could start over with another series of 24 videos. Between February and June 2020, thirty participants took the training course (of which 80% were obstetrics-gynaecology residents). The e-learning program resulted in a significant performance increase in the diagnosis of rectosigmoid endometriosis lesions, with a higher test success rate after the training compared to before (74.4% and 63.6% respectively; +10.8%; 95% CI [6,6; 15]; p< 0.001). Significant improvement was also observed regarding the overall skills involved in the ultrasound diagnosis of deep infiltrating endometriosis (+9.2%; p< 0.001), the accurate diagnosis of the height of bowel lesions (+14.7%; p< 0.001) and uterosacral ligament lesions (+8%; p< 0.005). In conclusion, our e-learning program led to a significant improvement of the diagnostic performance of digestive endometriosis using transvaginal ultrasound with intrarectal water contrast (rectosonography). Adding feedback to the post-test video loops could further increase the efficacy of the e-learning training