Focused ultrasound training for clinicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Background:

• Clinician use of diagnostic ultrasound is established, especially in emergency settings.
• Current training and accreditation standards are variable, necessitating international guidelines.
• Ultrasound is increasingly applicable to diverse anatomical areas, including chest and bone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for international standards in diagnostic ultrasound training.
• To emphasize the importance of accreditation and ongoing supervision for maintaining accuracy.
• To address challenges in training for rural, remote, and austere environments.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing evidence on diagnostic ultrasound training and practice.
• Emphasis on theoretical and practical training, including prereading and mentoring (proctoring).
• Discussion of the role of regular accreditation and comparison with gold standards.

Main Results:

• Trained personnel demonstrate well-documented accuracy with diagnostic ultrasound.
• Prereading, comprehensive training, and proctoring lead to high standards of practice.
• Challenges exist in providing training and supervision in resource-limited settings.

Conclusions:

• International standards are required to ensure the safety, accuracy, and credibility of diagnostic ultrasound.
• Continuous professional development, including accreditation and mentoring, is essential.
• Adapting training protocols for diverse environments is necessary for widespread adoption.