Point-of-care ultrasound curriculum for internal medicine residents: what do you desire? A national survey

Abstract

Background: Point-of-care Ultrasound is a relative new diagnostic tool for internists. Since 2019, it is a mandatory skill for internal medicine residents in the Netherlands but an ultrasound curriculum still has to be developed. In this study we explored the current ultrasound training program and educational wishes from internal medicine residents. Methods: We have undertaken a national study in March 2019 using an online questionnaire. All internal medicine residents in the Netherlands were invited to respond. Results: A total of 247 from 959 (26%) residents completed the questionnaire. The majority of residents (78.6%) received less than 10 h of ultrasound training and 40% has never made an ultrasound at all. Almost all residents (92%) indicate that ultrasound is a useful skill for the internist. They report that the most useful applications are ultrasound of the inferior vena cava, kidneys, abdominal free fluid, deep vein thrombosis, heart and lungs. The main perceived barrier to perform ultrasound is the lack of availability of experts for bedside supervision. Conclusion: This study confirms the need for a national ultrasound curriculum for internal medicine residents and may contribute to the development of an ultrasound curriculum in line with residents educational needs. We should begin the curriculum with the previously mentioned applications, perceived by internal residents as most useful. Additional applications can be appended in the future. Finally it is necessary to expand the number of experts to supervise the residents.

First year internal medicine residents’ self-report point-of-care ultrasound knowledge and skills: what (Little) difference three years make

“…Limitations of our study include the following: first, not all learners responded (response rate of 60 %). However, this response rate is comparable to, if not higher than, prior ultrasound needs assessment studies [ 16 , 20 , 29 – 31 ], and is in keeping with prior studies, where an overall response rate of 30–40 % were noted [ 32 , 33 ]. Second, our results are based on self-reported learner measures, which are subject to bias and inaccuracies [ 34 ].…”

“…In our needs assessment survey in 2016, PGY-1 learners in internal medicine were largely novices, with minimal baseline POCUS knowledge and skills [ 15 ]. These learning needs are similar to needs expressed by internal medicine learners in other countries, including the United States [ 16 – 19 ], the Netherlands [ 20 ], and Saudi Arabia [ 21 , 22 ].…”

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

“…Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an ideal imaging modality for many reasons including portability, allowing for immediate bedside access, assistance in real time decision making, and procedural accuracy. Many medical specialties use ultrasound in some manner, including anesthesia [1], neonatology [2], internal medicine [3][4][5], family medicine [6,7], critical care medicine [8][9][10], and emergency medicine [11,12].…”

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Among Intensivists in Singapore: A Multicentre Survey

“…This is similar to studies done in other regions. 9,10,15,16 Locally, among internal medicine physicians, lack and cost of an ultrasound machine were also significant barriers to learning. 14 Importantly, lack of equipment 14,16 or resistance from other ultrasound providers 10 did not appear as one of the barriers in this survey.…”