Objectives Dental students require basic life support (BLS) training to build their competency in cardiac arrest response. Online learning differs from the types of learning commonly practiced in Asia. We compared online learning and didactic lecture for BLS training in Thai dental students on knowledge, skill, and satisfaction. Methods This was a randomized controlled, single‐blinded, non‐inferiority trial in fifth‐year students from Khon Kaen University's Faculty of Dentistry from August 2015 to February 2016. Online learning was conducted using Modular Object‐Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (Moodle) 2.9 and required 90 min. Those in the didactic lecture group received a 90‐min lecture covering similar content. Both groups received 2 h of skill training. After training, we evaluated their ability to pass a skills test, knowledge scores (immediately after training and 3 months later), and course satisfaction (5‐point Likert scale). Results We included 78 students and randomized them to online learning (39) or didactic lecture (39). The difference in proportion (95% confidence interval [CI]) of students passing the skills test on their first attempt was −1.5 (−20.8, 23.8), and all passed on their second attempt. The mean differences (95% CI) between the groups’ immediate and 3 months knowledge scores were −2.5 (−6.2, 1.2), and −1.3 (−4.9, 2.3), respectively. The mean difference (95% CI) in satisfaction score was 0.02 (−0.28, 0.32). Conclusion Online learning and didactic lectures yielded comparable knowledge and skills, including satisfaction in Thai dental students. Online BLS training may alternatively aim for self‐paced learning and increase flexibility. The recommendation is to increase online BLS learning in Thai culture.

BACKGROUND: Motorcycles (motorlance) are often deployed as ambulances to the scene of an emergency to reduce response time. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected emergency medical services (EMS) in Thailand in many respects, and this study was conducted to examine its effect on motorlance operation time. AIM: The aim of the study was to examine motorlance operation time during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to normal periods. METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined all EMS motorlance operations dispatched from Srinagarind Hospital (Thailand). Data were collected from the Srinagarind Hospital EMS operation database and hospital information database system. Data from June 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019 (normal period) were compared with those from January 13 to April 21, 2020 (COVID-19). RESULTS: Eight hundred seventy-one EMS operations were examined over two periods. Mean patient age during the COVID-19 pandemic was 41.5 ± 6.2 years, and 54.6% (n = 59) were male. Average response time was 6.20 ± 1.35 min during the normal period and 3.48 ± 1.01 min during the pandemic (p = 0.021). Transport time was also significantly shorter during the latter period (2.35 vs. 5.20 min). CONCLUSIONS: Motorlance response and transport time during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly shorter than usual.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 has caused a major worldwide disruption to nearly all aspects of the medical education process, which includes the teaching of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). However, the impacts of the pandemic on POCUS training during this time have not been well studied. AIM: This was a retrospective observational study of the 1st year of emergency medicine (EM) residents at the Department of EM who had received POCUS training at a tertiary university hospital in Thailand. METHODS: The study was conducted throughout the 2019–2020 Academic year. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the new POCUS training methodology, which, due to health and safety protocols, was carried out through virtual learning. RESULTS: A total of 18 1st-year EM residents were evaluated. The average pre-training scores in the 2019–2020 academic years were 5.25 and 5, respectively. The average post-training scores in the 2019 and 2020 academic years were 8.5 and 8.67, respectively. In terms of the ultrasound (US) skills test, the total average scores in the 2019–2020 academic year were 17 out of 20 (85%) and 14.875 out of 20 (74.38%), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual learning is effective for teaching theoretical US knowledge. However, it was not suitable for teaching practical skills, including US skills.

BACKGROUND: B-line artifacts (BLAs) play an important role in identifying lung pathology. They may indicate different diseases. However, the diagnostic study of BLA as applied to emergency patients has not been well studied. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of BLA in various conditions. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of emergency patients who had received lung ultrasound at Srinagarind Hospital’s Emergency Department throughout January 2020–December 2020. Ultrasound artifacts were recorded. Ultrasonography findings were correlated with final diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity were also calculated. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were evaluated. The most prevalent condition which BLA found in this study was pulmonary edema (44.12%) with 88.24% sensitivity and 46.48% specificity. BLA also indicated pneumonia with 66.67% sensitivity and 35.71% specificity. Diffuse BLA indicated pulmonary edema with 70% sensitivity and 70.42% specificity. Focal BLA indicated pneumonia with 28.57% sensitivity and 76.19% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of BLA for pulmonary edema and pneumonia diagnosis in this study was of moderate to good sensitivity, but low specificity. BLA may become crucial in the diagnosis of lung pathology in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) plays an important role as a crucial tool for the diagnosis of various conditions in emergency and critical ill patients. However, POCUS examination in elderly populations has not been well studied. AIM: This was a retrospective observational study of elderly patients at the Department of Emergency Medicine who had received POCUS examination at a tertiary university hospital, Thailand. METHODS: The study was conducted throughout January 2020–December 2020. Patients’ characteristics and ultrasonography findings were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 191 elderly patients were evaluated. Median patient age was 75.65 years; 56.02% of patients were female. Chief complaints where POCUS scans were applied were respiratory (36.65%) and cardiovascular system-related (21.99%). The most frequent procedures performed were cardiac, lung, and inferior vena cava examinations. Abnormal ultrasound findings were discovered in 133 patients (68.91%). The 66.17% of abnormal ultrasound findings were associated with final diagnosis. The admission rate of elderly patients (56.82%) was highest among patients with positive ultrasound findings associated with final diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: POCUS utilization in elderly patients was useful in aiding emergency physicians amid diagnosis of various diseases, especially life-threatening ones.