Can we successfully teach novice junior doctors basic interventional ultrasound in a single focused training session?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Point-of-Care Ultrasound

Background:

• Ultrasonography is crucial for assessing critically ill patients and vascular access.
• Senior clinicians utilize ultrasound, but junior doctors lack formal training in these essential interventional skills.
• This skill gap leaves junior doctors ill-equipped to manage deteriorating patients effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prove that teaching basic interventional ultrasound skills to novice junior doctors in a single, focused session is feasible.
• To assess the effectiveness of a dedicated ultrasound training program for junior clinicians.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of the 'Junior doctor Ultrasound Training' (JUST) course outcomes.
• Data collected from 237 delegates, including prior ultrasound experience and formative assessment results (Kirkpatrick Level 2).

Main Results:

• Over 95% of participants had no prior ultrasound experience.
• 99% passed the formative assessment, demonstrating acceptable ultrasound performance.
• 73% achieved course outcomes independently, with only 1% failing.

Conclusions:

• Basic ultrasound competency is a realistic educational goal for most novice junior doctors.
• Early ultrasound training is valuable and cost-effective for clinicians.
• Equipping junior doctors with ultrasound skills enhances their capabilities and prepares them for future medical challenges.