Developing and Evaluating a Remote Quality Assurance System for Point-of-Care Ultrasound for an Internal Medicine Residency Global Health Track

Abstract

Background: A quality assurance system is vital when using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to ensure safe and effective ultrasound use. There are many barriers to implementing a quality assurance system including need for costly software, faculty time, and extra work to log images. Methods: With minimal funding or protected faculty time, we successfully developed an effective remote quality assurance system between residents rotating internationally and faculty in the US. Results: 270 total exams were logged using this system (41 per resident over a 7 week period). Over the course of the implementation period, a significant increase was seen in average image quality (p = 0.030) and percent agreement with reviewer (p = 0.021). No significant increase was seen for percent images with quality rating 5/5 (p = 0.068) or for studies per resident per week (p = 0.30). Discussion/Conclusions: A quality assurance system for remote review and feedback of POCUS exams was successfully developed with limited available funding, using consumer-level software and an educational collaboration. Residents used the system regularly and demonstrated improvement in reviewer-rated image acquisition and interpretation skills. A similar system can be applied for physicians in any geographic area looking to learn POCUS, in partnership with local or international POCUS mentors. We detail a step-by-step approach, challenges encountered, and lessons learned, to help guide others seeking to implement similar programs.

Is it worth trying? A cross-sectional study on the implementation of point-of-care ultrasound in Hungarian primary care

“…In Hungary, one such factor that needs to be resolved is the lack of training and quali cations of family physicians and the absence of the implementation of detailed guidelines and a compatible and sustainable training programme in the curriculum for family medicine residents. In addition to training, nancing, procurement, legal and quality assurance aspects still need to be clari ed [13,14,15]. These shortcomings must be addressed so that PoCUS can become an integral part of everyday work in GP practices.…”