Virtual Anatomy and Point‐of‐Care Ultrasonography (POCUS) Integration Pilot for Medical Students

Author(s):  
Marcus E. Olivares‐Perez ◽  
Sally Graglia ◽  
Derek J. Harmon ◽  
Barbie A. Klein
CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S47-S48
Author(s):  
L. Edgar ◽  
L. Fraccaro ◽  
L. Park ◽  
J. MacIsaac ◽  
P. Pageau ◽  
...  

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasonography (PoCUS) is being incorporated into Canadian undergraduate medical school curricula. The purpose of this study was to evaluate novel PoCUS education sessions to determine what aspects of the sessions benefitted from hands-on training and which PoCUS skills were retained over time. Methods: Second year medical students voluntarily received three different PoCUS training sessions, each lasting three hours. Prior to the sessions, participants prepared independently with pre-circulated online learning materials. After a 15-minute lecture, experienced PoCUS providers led small group (1 instructor: 5 students), live scanning sessions. Evaluations were conducted before and after each session using expert validated multiple choice questions testing general and procedural knowledge, image recognition and interpretation. Volunteer students were evaluated via direct observation of live scanning using an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSAT) based on the O-score and then re-evaluated at 2 months post-training to assess PoCUS skills retention. Results: 40 second year medical students participated in extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (eFAST), cardiac, and gallbladder PoCUS sessions. The live-training sessions significantly improved student PoCUS knowledge beyond what they learned independently for eFAST (p < 0.001), cardiac (p < 0.001), and gallbladder (p = 0.02). The largest improvement was noted in procedural knowledge test scores improving from 44.0% to 84.0% (n = 38). 16 students were evaluated after each session with a mean O-score of 2.37. 8 students returned two months later to be re-evaluated demonstrating a change in O-scores for eFAST (2.00 to 2.38, p = 0.15), cardiac (2.28 to 2.00, p = 0.32), and gallbladder (2.91 to 1.88, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Procedural PoCUS knowledge benefited the most with hands-on training. eFAST and cardiac PoCUS competency was maintained over time while gallbladder PoCUS competency degraded suggesting that targeted PoCUS skills training may be possible. Further study is required to determine the best use of PoCUS resources in undergraduate medical education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Cha ◽  
Allan Gottschalk ◽  
Erik Su ◽  
Adam Schiavi ◽  
Adam Dodson ◽  
...  

POCUS Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-17
Author(s):  
Rimi Sambi, MD ◽  
Heather Sawula, MD ◽  
Brent Wolfrom, MD ◽  
Joseph Newbigging, MD

As point of care ultrasound (PoCUS) becomes increasingly popular and a standard of care in many clinical settings, the interest for integration in medical undergraduate curriculum is also growing [1]. This project aims to assess whether formal bedside Focused Abdominal Scan for Trauma (FAST) exam training of medical students increases their knowledge and comfort with the use of bedside ultrasound in a family medicine setting at Queen’s University. Third year medical students (n=18) were recruited to participate in a training session involving a 1-hour online video and 2-hour hands-on session. Knowledge based surveys were completed before and after the training. A survey was completed 4 months after the teaching session evaluating knowledge retention, comfort, and application of skills. Student knowledge of PoCUS and FAST increased and was maintained (pre-training 56%±20%, post-training 82%±10%, p<0.001). Self-evaluation of comfort performing a FAST examination (5-point Likert scale) similarly increased post-training session (pre-training 1.4±0.8, post-training 3.8±0.9, p<0.005), but decreased 4 months later (3±1.2, p<0.005). Students in this study were unanimously interested in ultrasound training and the methods used effectively increased theoretical knowledge and comfort with use. Students did not retain their comfort levels with FAST exam 4 months after the training session, nor did they have the opportunity to utilize the skills learned. Further evidence is required to identify the applicability of these results to undergraduate curriculum development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e242370
Author(s):  
Jiodany Perez ◽  
Stefani Sorensen ◽  
Michael Rosselli

Prompt recognition and treatment of septic arthritis are crucial to prevent significant morbidity and mortality in affected patients. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, anchoring bias may make an already challenging diagnosis like septic arthritis more difficult to diagnose quickly and efficiently. Musculoskeletal (MSK) point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is an imaging modality that can be used to quickly and efficiently obtain objective findings that may help a clinician establish the diagnosis of septic arthritis. We report a case where MSK POCUS was a key element in establishing the diagnosis of glenohumeral joint septic arthritis and subdeltoid septic bursitis for a patient that presented to the emergency department with a fever during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Abhilash Koratala ◽  
Amir Kazory

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Lingering congestion portends poor outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) and is a key target in their management. Studies have shown that physical exam has low yield in this setting and conventional methods for more precise assessment and monitoring of volume status (e.g., body weight, natriuretic peptides, and chest radiography) have significant inherent shortcomings. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Point of care ultrasonography (POCUS) is a noninvasive versatile bedside diagnostic tool that enhances the sensitivity of conventional physical examination to gauge congestion in these patients. It also aids in monitoring the efficacy of decongestive therapy and bears prognostic significance. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of focused sonographic assessment of the heart, venous system, and extravascular lung water/ascites (i.e., the pump, pipes, and the leaks) in objective assessment of fluid volume status. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Since each of the discussed components of POCUS has its limitations, a combinational ultrasound evaluation guided by the main clinical features would be the key to reliable assessment and effective management of congestion in patients with HF.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (04) ◽  
pp. 279-283
Author(s):  
Daniel Damiani ◽  
Durval Damiani

AbstractPoint-of-care ultrasound is modifying conducts in emergency care. The various medical specialties, in addition to traditional indications in cases of multiple trauma, are using this technique for rapid diagnosis at the bedside without patient mobilization and without radiation. Point-of-care ultrasound in neurocritical patients, through its transorbital window, can estimate the intracranial pressure by a non-invasive method. Through the measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath 3 mm posterior to the retina, the intracranial pressure is estimated if the value of the diameter is > 5 mm, as it has been verified in other studies. The present article describes the most current data on this topic, and it also highlights the need for more multicentric and randomized trials to determine the correct cut-off points that represent the high sensibility and specificity of the method.


2017 ◽  
Vol 177 (12) ◽  
pp. 1818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel B. Liu ◽  
Joseph H. Donroe ◽  
Robert L. McNamara ◽  
Howard P. Forman ◽  
Chris L. Moore

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