Perceived Benefits of a Cadaver-Based Ultrasound Procedure Workshop for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Trainees

Longitudinal Ultrasound-Guided Injection Curriculum for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents

ABSTRACT

Physiatrists are increasingly using musculoskeletal ultrasound for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. However, a standardized longitudinal curriculum for instructing physical medicine and rehabilitation residents in performing ultrasound-guided interventional procedures has yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to develop and assess the effectiveness of a longitudinal curriculum in training residents to perform common ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal injections using fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens. The course included six weekly hands-on educational sessions, divided by anatomical region, integrated into an established anatomy and physical examination curriculum. After completion of the curriculum, residents reported improved comfort and confidence and displayed improved competence in performing these injections. Other physiatry residency programs should consider implementing longitudinal, hands-on cadaveric training courses to better prepare trainees to perform ultrasound-guided injections as part of their future clinical practice.

Longitudinal Cadaver-Based Training Curriculum for Musculoskeletal Ultrasound-Guided Procedures Among Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents

ABSTRACT

Musculoskeletal ultrasound has become a fundamental diagnostic and treatment tool in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. However, there is no standardized curriculum for teaching and practicing musculoskeletal ultrasound during physical medicine and rehabilitation residency. The objective of this study was to describe a longitudinal curriculum using unembalmed fresh frozen cadavers to teach physical medicine and rehabilitation residents ultrasound-guided procedures. This protocol can help guide residents to begin learning how to independently identify important musculoskeletal structures and perform some of the most common musculoskeletal procedures relevant to clinical practice. Residents performed a procedure on average 6.99 times per block, and residents' self-reported confidence in various aspects of ultrasound practice significantly improved after this curriculum ( P < 0.005). Hence, a cadaver-based training curriculum may be a worthwhile tool for preparing physical medicine and rehabilitation residents to perform musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided procedures in the clinical setting.

Development of a Cadaver Laboratory Curriculum for Interventional Spine Procedures for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residents

ABSTRACT

There is no standardized curriculum for teaching interventional spine procedures during residency. The objective of this protocol was to share a curriculum using a cadaver laboratory for teaching Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents interventional spine procedures, which can be an effective and safe medium to train residents. This protocol provides a checklist that can guide the residents while they are in the cadaver laboratory with a focus on some of the most common lumbar procedures. Twelve physical medicine and rehabilitation resident's confidence in their ability to maneuver the x-ray image intensifier (C-arm), identify spine anatomy under fluoroscopy, and drive the needle improved after the training curriculum (P < 0.005). Although the cadaver laboratory curriculum is not a replacement for the required Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education training, it may serve as a tool to improve resident preparedness for spine procedures.