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Introduction/Purpose: Diagnostic ultrasound of the respiratory system and peripheral muscular systems is increasingly being used by clinicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge outcomes of a bespoke one-day curriculum for physiotherapists that incorporated lung, diaphragm and lower limb muscle diagnostic ultrasound theory and practical training in image acquisition and analysis. Methods: A one-day course comprised of three instructors and 32 participants on key diagnostic ultrasound findings of the lungs, diaphragm and lower limb musculature included didactic lectures combined with expert-led hands-on training in practical sessions. Participants undertook pre-and post-course knowledge questionnaire covering key ultrasound findings for normal lungs, pleural/ pulmonary pathologies and normal and abnormal findings for the diaphragm and key lower limb muscle groups. The pre-test and post-test questionnaire and survey results were reported using parametric descriptive statistics (means SD) as the data were normally distributed. Results: Of the 32 physiotherapists who undertook the one-day training, 25 (78%) completed the pre-and post-course questionnaires. The pre-course knowledge scores (mean percentage, SD) were 63% (21), and the post-course scores were 62% (20) after training. Discussion: This novel diagnostic ultrasound course led to limited improvements of ultrasound knowledge in the specific areas of the key ultrasound findings pulmonary system and lower limb muscle anatomy. The pre-reading material and course structure may have been too burdensome for the participants. Conclusion: Combined lung and muscle diagnostic ultrasound course may require more than the standard one-day training for appropriate knowledge acquisition, and use of online pre-course video lectures may facilitate learning.

BackgroundThe potential influence of thoracic ultrasound on clinical decision-making by physiotherapists has never been studied. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of thoracic ultrasound on clinical decision-making by physiotherapists for critical care patients.MethodsThis prospective, observational multicentre study was conducted between May 2017 and November 2020 in four intensive care units in France and Australia. All hypoxemic patients consecutively admitted were enrolled. The primary outcome was the net reclassification improvement (NRI), quantifying how well the new model (physiotherapist’s clinical decision-making including thoracic ultrasound) reclassifies subjects as compared with an old model (clinical assessment). Secondary outcomes were the factors associated with diagnostic concordance and physiotherapy treatment modification.ResultsA total of 151 patients were included in the analysis. The NRI for the modification of physiotherapist’s clinical decisions was—40% (95% CI (−56 to −22%), p=0.02). Among the cases in which treatment was changed after ultrasound, 41% of changes were major (n=38). Using a multivariate analysis, the physiotherapist’s confidence in their clinical diagnosis was associated with diagnostic concordance (adjusted OR=3.28 95% CI (1.30 to 8.71); p=0.014). Clinical diagnosis involving non-parenchymal conditions and clinical signs reflecting abolished lung ventilation were associated with diagnostic discordance (adjusted OR=0.06 95% CI (0.01 to 0.26), p<0.001; adjusted OR=0.26 95% CI (0.09 to 0.69), p=0.008; respectively).ConclusionThoracic ultrasound has a high impact on the clinical decision-making process by physiotherapists for critical care patients.Trial registration numberNCT02881814; https://clinicaltrials.gov.