Comparison of in-person versus tele-ultrasound point-of-care ultrasound training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Lack of training is currently the most common barrier to implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use in clinical practice, and in-person POCUS continuing medical education (CME) courses have been paramount in improving this training gap. Due to travel restrictions and physical distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, most in-person POCUS training courses were cancelled. Though tele-ultrasound technology has existed for several years, use of tele-ultrasound technology to deliver hands-on training during a POCUS CME course has not been previously described. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study comparing educational outcomes, course evaluations, and learner and faculty feedback from in-person versus tele-ultrasound POCUS courses. The same POCUS educational curriculum was delivered to learners by the two course formats. Data from the most recent pre-pandemic in-person course were compared to tele-ultrasound courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Pre- and post-course knowledge test scores of learners from the in-person (n = 88) and tele-ultrasound course (n = 52) were compared. Though mean pre-course knowledge test scores were higher among learners of the tele-ultrasound versus in-person course (78% vs. 71%; p = 0.001), there was no significant difference in the post-course test scores between learners of the two course formats (89% vs. 87%; p = 0.069). Both learners and faculty rated the tele-ultrasound course highly (4.6-5.0 on a 5-point scale) for effectiveness of virtual lectures, tele-ultrasound hands-on scanning sessions, and course administration. Faculty generally expressed less satisfaction with their ability to engage with learners, troubleshoot image acquisition, and provide feedback during the tele-ultrasound course but felt learners completed the tele-ultrasound course with a better basic POCUS skillset. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to a traditional in-person course, tele-ultrasound POCUS CME courses appeared to be as effective for improving POCUS knowledge post-course and fulfilling learning objectives. Our findings can serve as a roadmap for educators seeking guidance on development of a tele-ultrasound POCUS training course whose demand will likely persist beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

authors

  • Soni, Nilam J
  • Boyd, Jeremy S
  • Mints, Gregory
  • Proud, Kevin C
  • Jensen, Trevor P
  • Liu, Gigi
  • Mathews, Benji K
  • Schott, Christopher K
  • Kurian, Linda
  • LoPresti, Charles M
  • Andrus, Phil
  • Nathanson, Robert
  • Smith, Natalie
  • Haro, Elizabeth K
  • Mader, Michael J
  • Pugh, Jacqueline
  • Restrepo, Marcos I
  • Lucas, Brian P

publication date

  • September 6, 2021

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC8419826

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85042916849

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1002/jcu.22559

PubMed ID

  • 34487262

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 13

issue

  • 1