Evaluation of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training for Family Physicians Using Teleultrasound.
Fam Med 2023;
55:263-266. [PMID:
37043188 PMCID:
PMC10622021 DOI:
10.22454/fammed.2023.469019]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of this study was to assess family physicians' change in knowledge and ability to perform abdominal aorta ultrasound after implementation of a novel teleultrasound curriculum.
METHODS
This was a prospective, observational study conducted at a single academic institution. Family physicians completed a preassessment, test, and objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE). Physicians then individually completed a standard curriculum consisting of online content and an hour-long, hands-on training session on abdominal aorta ultrasound using teleultrasound technology. Physicians then performed a minimum of 10 independent examinations over a period of 8 weeks. After physicians completed the training curriculum and 10 independent scans, we administered a postassessment, test, and OSCE. We analyzed differences between pre- and postcurriculum responses using Fisher exact and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.
RESULTS
Thirteen family physicians completed the curriculum. Comparing pre- to postcurriculum responses, we found significant reductions in barriers to using aorta POCUS and improved confidence in using, obtaining, and interpreting aorta POCUS (P<0.01). Knowledge improved from a median score of 70% to 90% (P<0.01), and OSCE scores improved from a median of 80% to 100% (P=0.012). Overall, 211 aorta ultrasound examinations were independently acquired with a median image quality of 4 (scale 1 to 4).
CONCLUSIONS
After an 8-week teleultrasound curriculum, family physicians with minimal experience with POCUS showed improved knowledge and psychomotor skill in abdominal aorta POCUS.
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