Piloting a New Curriculum: Guided At-Home Pediatric Regional Anesthesia Education Using a Portable Ultrasound

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Medical Education
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia is standard for pediatric blocks.
• In-person training workshops are crucial but were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Need for safe, effective alternative training methods for pediatric anesthesiology fellows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an at-home, guided virtual workshop for pediatric anesthesiology trainees.
• To provide hands-on experience in acquiring anatomical ultrasound images for regional anesthesia.
• To assess the effectiveness of skills acquisition in a virtual, home-based setting.

Main Methods:

• A pilot virtual workshop was conducted with two pediatric anesthesiology fellows and one faculty member.
• Trainees used portable ultrasound at home to capture images/movies of regional block anatomy on their own children.
• Virtual video assistance was provided, followed by debriefing sessions on image interpretation and procedural planning.

Main Results:

• The virtual workshop was successful in facilitating experiential learning.
• Trainees reported increased comfort and confidence in performing regional blocks on live patients.
• Trainees demonstrated correct identification of anatomy and procedural steps during debriefing.

Conclusions:

• Adapting in-person workshops to a guided, at-home virtual format is a safe and feasible method for anesthesiology trainees.
• This approach allows for essential hands-on skill practice while minimizing exposure risks during a pandemic.
• The virtual workshop effectively supports experiential learning and skill development in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.