Web-based training and certification tools online

Since the mean thyroid size in population samples reflects the iodine status most of the regional surveys will include thyroid ultrasound measurements To minimise the bias across the studies a webbased reader certification tool will be established Beyond the information integrated in the training tool see Task 24 ultrasound observers will be offered to be certificated according to the standards of the Study of Health in Pomerania SHIP32 From a pool of 100 ultrasound images each observer has to read a randomly selected set of 2 x 25 ultrasound images for dimensions of the thyroid lobes The results of the readings will be analysed for intra and interobserver differences and compared to the readings of two EUthyroid expert sonographers Statistical analyses will be performed using Bland Altman plots a mean bias of 5 and a 2SD of 25 must not be exceeded In case a certification will have not been passed the procedure can be repeated after a new training cycle After successful certification a EUthyroid certificate can be printed out indicating that the exam was passed was passed by the readerAs for the training module also the certification module will be published on the EUthyroid websites The access to the module will also be open to researchers and study staff outside the EUthyroid consortium to strategically establish EUthyroid as a gold standard for international thyroid ultrasound studies