Evaluating a longitudinal point-of-care-ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum for pediatric residents

Abstract

Background POCUS is a growing field in medical education, and an imaging modality ideal for children given the lack of ionizing radiation, ease of use, and good tolerability. A 2019 literature review revealed that no US pediatric residency programs integrated obligatory POCUS curricula. Our objective was to provide a formalized POCUS curriculum over multiple years, and to retrospectively assess improvement in resident skills and comfort. Methods During intern year, pediatric residents received didactics and hands-on scanning opportunities in basic POCUS applications. Their evaluation tools included pre- and post-surveys and tests, and a final performance exam. In the second and third years of residency, all participants were required to complete 8 hours per year of POCUS content review and additional hands-on training. An optional third-year curriculum was offered to interested residents as career-focused education elective time. Results Our curriculum introduced POCUS topics such as basic and advanced cardiac, lung, skin/soft tissues and procedural based ultrasound to all pediatric residents. Among first-year residents, application-specific results showed POCUS comfort level improved by 61–90%. Completed evaluations demonstrated improvement in their ability to recognize and interpret POCUS images. Second- and third-year residents reported educational effectiveness that was rated 3.9 on a 4-point Likert scale. Four third-year residents took part in the optional POCUS elective, and all reported a change in their practice with increased POCUS incorporation. Conclusions Our longitudinal pediatric residency POCUS curriculum is feasible to integrate into residency training and exhibits early success.

Pediatric Residency Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Needs Assessment and Educational Intervention

“…Pediatric trainees are interested in obtaining POCUS training during residency and view POCUS as an important skill for their future careers. Our finding is consistent with other needs assessment studies indicating that pediatric residents increasingly demonstrate an interest in POCUS [ 18 , 20 - 23 ]. Upstream of residency training, medical schools are also incorporating ultrasound training into undergraduate medical education [ 14 , 24 - 31 ].…”

“…Another major barrier is the limited number of POCUS-trained physicians. The experience of one longitudinal POCUS curriculum shows that few residents obtain POCUS studies outside the training sessions because they feel uncomfortable using POCUS for patient care without a supervisor [ 23 ]. Without opportunities to perform POCUS scans in the clinical environment, trainees will likely lose knowledge and skill over time.…”

Evaluation of simulation-based ultrasound course for pediatricians: a starting point for future training curriculum

“…2) In some countries, point of care ultrasound has been incorporated into the pediatric training curriculum, highlighting its importance in patient care. 3) Currently, there is no standardized ultrasound training program for pediatric trainees in our locality.…”

“…In addition to that, its real-time properties allow guidance in interventional procedures, leading to a higher success rate with decrease in complications [ 2 ]. In some countries, point of care ultrasound has been incorporated into the pediatric training curriculum, highlighting its importance in patient care [ 3 ]. Currently, there is no standardized ultrasound training program for pediatric trainees in our locality.…”

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training in Pediatric Residency: A National Needs Assessment

“…17 Currently, few POCUS training resources exist for pediatric residents, and little is known about POCUS training in pediatric residencies. [18][19][20] The objective of this study was to describe pediatric residency leadership perspectives regarding the value of POCUS and to elucidate the current state of POCUS training in pediatric residency programs. We hypothesized that perspectives on POCUS and availability of POCUS training would differ on the basis of respondent and program characteristics.…”