Characteristics of Simulation-Based Point-of-Care Ultrasound Education: A Systematic Review of MedEdPORTAL Curricula

Abstract

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is increasingly recognized as a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective diagnostic and procedural tool used by many medical disciplines. Although standardized POCUS curricula are lacking, simulation represents an effective modality to teach the fundamentals of POCUS in medical education. We sought to characterize POCUS simulation cases available within MedEdPORTAL, the primary repository of learning resources for health professions, to highlight areas for future curricular development and study. This systematic review was performed based on a comprehensive search of MedEdPORTAL. Identified simulations were categorized and contrasted with respect to their target audiences, settings, pathologies, required materials and equipment, and POCUS techniques tested.A total of eight curricula were identified. The majority (6/8) were targeted at trainees in acute care specialties. Pathologies included in most simulations involved cardiac or pericardial disease, although obstetric and medical diseases were also tested in isolated cases. While half (4/8) of the identified simulation curricula incorporated diagnostic POCUS interpretation, only a few (2/8) allowed for high-fidelity ultrasound simulation. While self-reported learner satisfaction appeared to be generally high, most (7/8) identified curricula did not include objective assessments of learning outcomes.A small number of simulation-based POCUS curricula have been published within MedEdPORTAL. The widespread use of simulation for POCUS may be limited by the financial costs of high-fidelity training equipment. While simulation provides a highly promising solution to the need for greater instruction in POCUS, there is a need for comprehensive, standardized, and cost-effective curricula that can be adapted to varied educational environments.

Development of an application for teaching pulmonary ultrasound in an emergency

“…Thus, considering the pandemic scenario experienced two years ago, it was necessary to develop a teaching system in ultrasonography in the environment where patient care is provided. Point-of-care ultrasonography has become a ubiquitous diagnostic tool, and there has been a growing A systematic review published this year concluded that although simulation provides a highly promising solution to the need for increased point-of-care ultrasound instruction, the widespread use of this simulation for this purpose may be limited by the financial costs of high-fidelity training equipment 23 .…”

POCUS in Internal Medicine Curriculum: Quest for the Holy-Grail of Modern Medicine

“…However, further research is needed in this field as there is more room for developing more advanced POCUS simulations and incorporating them into undergraduate and graduate medical curricula. 31 In another study involving internal medicine residents in their PGY-1 years, after 30-h POCUS training, there was a statistical increase in knowledge regarding image acquisition and interpretation and using the results for clinical decision making. 32 …”

State of the art: Simulation in der Ultraschallausbildung

“…Simulationsbasiertes Training hat sich in einigen Ländern bereits als festes Trainingsmodul für die Ausbildung in der fokussierten, klinischen Sonographie (POCUSpoint of care ultrasound) durchgesetzt, wie beispielsweise in der Schweiz [98] oder den USA [49,101]. In einer kritischen amerikanischen Analyse fiel jedoch auf, dass bei teils hohen Gerätekosten zwar eine hohe Anwenderzufriedenheit zu verzeichnen war, jedoch in 7 von 8 der identifizierten Curricula keine objektive Lernerfolgskontrolle erfolgte [101]. Darüber hinaus ist in der Anästhesie das simulationsgestützte Training für den perioperativen Ultraschall Bestandteil einiger US-amerikanischer Curricula [88] sowie in Korea beispielsweise für die ultraschallgesteuerte Regionalanästhesie mittels Phantomtraining fest etabliert [68].…”

“…Simulationsbasiertes Training hat sich in einigen Ländern bereits als festes Trainingsmodul für die Ausbildung in der fokussierten, klinischen Sonographie (POCUSpoint of care ultrasound) durchgesetzt, wie beispielsweise in der Schweiz [98] oder den USA [49,101]. In einer kritischen amerikanischen Analyse fiel jedoch auf, dass bei teils hohen Gerätekosten zwar eine hohe Anwenderzufriedenheit zu verzeichnen war, jedoch in 7 von 8 der identifizierten Curricula keine objektive Lernerfolgskontrolle erfolgte [101].…”