Obstetric ultrasound: where are we and where are we going?

Abramowicz, Jacques S.

doi:10.14366/usg.20088

Cited by 22 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 102 publications

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“…The use of Telehealth with antenatal PoCUS for real-time scanning assistance (Teleultrasound) in the clinical setting also merits further investigation, along with Artificial Intelligence systems that have the capacity to assist minimally trained operators in unsupervised clinical environments [ 80 ]. Advancements in Teleultrasound systems now make it possible for the remote clinician to view the ultrasound monitor, images and probe position, communicate via live video and text message with the operator, and even take control of the ultrasound machines functions and demonstrate findings to the patient, all in real time [ 81 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of antenatal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) training: a systematic review

Bidner

Bezak

Parange

2022

Medical Education Online

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Introduction There is limited access to life-saving antenatal ultrasound in rural and low-resource settings largely due to shortages in skilled staff. Studies have shown healthcare practitioners can be upskilled in PoCUS through focused training, offering a viable solution to this deficit. However, standards for training and competency assessment are unclear and regulation surrounding practice is lacking. We aimed to review published literature examining antenatal PoCUS training programs, comparing teaching approaches and study methodologies. Methods A search of electronic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE and Google Scholar was conducted. Original research articles evaluating antenatal PoCUS training of healthcare professionals worldwide were identified for analysis. Articles with limited detail on the PoCUS training intervention and those describing comprehensive diagnostic training programs were excluded. Evaluations were compared against the Kirkpatrick Evaluation Framework (KEF). Results Twenty-seven studies were included from an initial search result of 484 articles. There was considerable heterogeneity between the PoCUS training programs described. Course duration ranged from 3 hours to 2 years, with 11 of the 27 studies delivering obstetric-exclusive content. 44% trained multidisciplinary groups of health professionals. Long-term follow-up training and skills assessments were lacking in over half of the reviewed studies. Study quality and reporting detail varied, but overall beneficial outcomes were reported with 3/4s of the studies reaching upper KEF levels 3 and 4. Conclusion PoCUS performed by upskilled healthcare professionals offers an attractive solution to the problem of inequitable access to antenatal ultrasound. A review of available literature highlighted a paucity of comparable high-quality studies needed to establish a stronger evidence base for antenatal PoCUS, and a need to standardise training and competency assessment. This review may inform educators, researchers and policy-makers on existing training formats and methodologies to assist in establishing best practice antenatal PoCUS training methods for safe service delivery by remote healthcare professionals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of antenatal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) training: a systematic review

Bidner

Bezak

Parange

2022

Medical Education Online

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“…Compared to previous reviews on new ultrasound technologies in obstetrics [67,68], the present review is focused on the characteristics and applications of the new as well as the conventional modes of CFI. HDFI and MVFI, which are more sensitive to low flows and small-vessel flows, are complementary to conventional CDFI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on Color Flow Imaging in Obstetrics

Leung

Wan

2022

Life

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Color flow imaging (CFI), being non-invasive, is commonly used in obstetrics to study the fetal and placental circulations. The conventional CFI modes include color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and power Doppler imaging (PDI). In recent years, there is increasing use of new modes, including high-definition flow imaging (HDFI), radiant flow, microvascular flow imaging (MVFI), and three-/four-dimensional rendering in glass-body mode. Compared to CDFI, HDFI can show a higher resolution and sensitivity and allow the detection of slower flows. MVFI increases the sensitivity to fine or low-flow vessels while producing little or no motion artifacts. Radiant flow shows the blood flow with a sense of depth and reduces blood overflow. Glass-body mode, showing both gray-scale and color-flow information, can demonstrate the heart-cycle-related flow events and the vessel spatial relationship. In this review, the characteristics and applications of the various CFI modes in obstetrics are discussed. In particular, how these new technologies are integrated in detailed diagnostic and early morphology scans is presented.

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“…The operator can use this technology as a second pass or confirmation to improve diagnostic accuracy [ 70 ]. This can also allow audit and quality improvement [ 73 ].…”

Section: Artificial Intelligencementioning

confidence: 99%

Applications of Advanced Ultrasound Technology in Obstetrics

Leung¹

2021

Diagnostics

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Over the years, there have been several improvements in ultrasound technologies including high-resolution ultrasonography, linear transducer, radiant flow, three-/four-dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasound, speckle tracking of the fetal heart, and artificial intelligence. The aims of this review are to evaluate the use of these advanced technologies in obstetrics in the midst of new guidelines on and new techniques of obstetric ultrasonography. In particular, whether these technologies can improve the diagnostic capability, functional analysis, workflow, and ergonomics of obstetric ultrasound examinations will be discussed.

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Obstetric ultrasound: where are we and where are we going?

Cited by 22 publications

References 102 publications

Evaluation of antenatal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) training: a systematic review

Evaluation of antenatal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) training: a systematic review

Update on Color Flow Imaging in Obstetrics

Applications of Advanced Ultrasound Technology in Obstetrics

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