Evaluation of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training for Family Physicians Using Teleultrasound

The goal of this study was to assess family physicians' change in knowledge and ability to perform abdominal aorta ultrasound after implementation of a novel teleultrasound curriculum.

This was a prospective, observational study conducted at a single academic institution. Family physicians completed a preassessment, test, and objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE). Physicians then individually completed a standard curriculum consisting of online content and an hour-long, hands-on training session on abdominal aorta ultrasound using teleultrasound technology. Physicians then performed a minimum of 10 independent examinations over a period of 8 weeks. After physicians completed the training curriculum and 10 independent scans, we administered a postassessment, test, and OSCE. We analyzed differences between pre- and postcurriculum responses using Fisher exact and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

Thirteen family physicians completed the curriculum. Comparing pre- to postcurriculum responses, we found significant reductions in barriers to using aorta POCUS and improved confidence in using, obtaining, and interpreting aorta POCUS (P<0.01). Knowledge improved from a median score of 70% to 90% (P<0.01), and OSCE scores improved from a median of 80% to 100% (P=0.012). Overall, 211 aorta ultrasound examinations were independently acquired with a median image quality of 4 (scale 1 to 4).

After an 8-week teleultrasound curriculum, family physicians with minimal experience with POCUS showed improved knowledge and psychomotor skill in abdominal aorta POCUS.