Teaching Accuracy Through Repeated Gamified Echography Training (TARGET): Assessment of an Ultrasound Skill Simulator in Teaching Ultrasound-Guided Needle Placement, a Prospective Observational Study.

This article focuses on the development and evaluation of a novel, reusable ultrasound (US) skill simulator designed to teach ultrasound-guided fine needle placement (USGFNP) to second-year veterinary students. The simulator uses metal targets embedded in ballistic gel connected to a circuit that provides immediate visual and auditory feedback when the needle contacts a target, allowing safe, deliberate practice of foundational US skills. Study results showed significant improvement in students' time to task completion and positive feedback, with most participants supporting incorporation of the simulator into the veterinary curriculum to enhance confidence and competence in US-guided procedures. Limitations noted include the need for remelting the gel to reset the simulator, occasional bubble formation affecting visualization, and limited target variation, with future work aimed at improving ease of manufacture and increasing training complexity.