The echocardiography "boot camp": a novel approach in pediatric cardiovascular imaging education

Dynamic training schedules introduce novel challenges to medical specialty training programs that require manual dexterity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a 3-day, intensive pediatric echocardiography course ("boot camp") on trainee self-efficacy and on the acquisition and short-term retention of basic echocardiographic knowledge and skills for first-year pediatric cardiology fellows (CFs).

The boot camp consisted of hands-on structured practice guided by sonographers and cardiology faculty members, didactic lectures, and reading. Pre-boot camp experience was assessed using an experience score. Outcome measures included written precamp and postcamp examinations, a performance-based test, precamp and postcamp self-efficacy assessments, and the number and quality of echocardiographic examinations performed in the first 3 months of fellowship.

Six CFs completed the boot camp. Two of the six CFs reported experience scores of 2 out of 10, whereas the remainder reported experience scores of 0 out of 10. Performance-based test scores ranged from 68 to 99 out of 147. All six CFs reported precamp self-efficacy scores of 21 (the minimum score), compared with median postcamp scores of 82 (range, 49-94) (P = .01). Scores on the written examination improved from median of 16 (range, 11-18) to 23.5 (range, 22-28) (P = .01). CFs who completed the boot camp completed 28 independent echocardiographic examinations (median, 4 per CF) during the first 3 months of fellowship, an increase from six independent examinations (median, 1 per CF) by CFs during the year before institution of the boot camp (P = .030). Echocardiograms obtained by CFs who had completed the boot camp scored higher on total quality (P = .004), overall two-dimensional image quality (P = .011), functional assessments (P = .015), and assessment for pericardial effusion (P = .031).

The echocardiography boot camp improves self-efficacy in performing an echocardiographic examination and the acquisition and short-term retention of skills and knowledge required to perform pediatric echocardiography.