Basic Principles of Ultrasound: Development and Validity of an Instructional E-Book

Objective: to develop and analyze evidence of content validity of an e-book for performing bedside ultrasound. Method: this is a methodological study of technological development with analysis of evidence of content validity. To prepare the study, a literature narrative review on the basic principles of ultrasound in books and articles was carried out, providing the basis for the e-book. Finally, the developed product was assessed by healthcare professionals with experience in ultrasound in electronic format from August 2023 to February 2024, considering indicators of clarity, theoretical relevance, practical relevance, appearance and design. This assessment was carried out using a dichotomous scale, and the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) was calculated for each topic addressed. Results: the e-book was developed in text format and later transferred and diagrammed in the online program Canva, addressing main topics related to ultrasound: principles of acoustic physics and principles of ultrasound (image capture modes, types of images and image artifacts, types of transducers, importance of gel, transducer handling, frequency adjustment, brightness and depth) and 5 questions for learning assessment. The material was assessed by 21 experts in the first round, where 4 subheadings did not reach the appropriate critical CVR of 0.49, being submitted to a second round, in which all subheadings/indicators presented an average CVR value greater than 0.90 in all the criteria assessed. Conclusion: the developed e-book had 29 pages and presented adequate evidence of validity, and can be used in educational programs focused on the practice of ultrasound for nurses.