A Standardized Teaching and Competency Evaluation Tool for Venous Excess Ultrasound: Modified Delphi and Angoff...

Central venous pressure is traditionally evaluated by physical examination, but this can vary with patient anatomy and operator skill. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has begun to emerge as a more reliable way to assess venous congestion. In particular, the recently developed venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) technique presents a promising option for a more thorough evaluation of venous congestion in the abdominal venous vasculature. A standardized, competency-based assessment tool for VExUS does not exist and is necessary for rigorous educational initiatives.

This study aimed to develop consensus generation for an educational tool for assessing competency in performing VExUS through modified Delphi and Angoff methods.

An educational tool with competency evaluation was developed by two internal medicine physicians experienced in VExUS. Fifteen international expert physicians in VExUS participated in four rounds of a modified Delphi process to determine consensus on tool items. Consensus was defined as agreement of 80% or more, and items that did not reach consensus after four rounds were excluded. A subsequent modified Angoff method was used to establish passing scores and identify critical items.

After four rounds of the Delphi process, all 31 original items and four newly added items reached consensus to include in the educational tool. A passing score was established at 76%, or 80/105 total points. Ten of the 35 final items were identified as critical items.

Using modified Delphi and Angoff methods, we reached consensus on a 35-item educational tool with ten critical items and a passing score of 76%. By defining critical items and setting passing scores, these tools may help standardize assessment of trainee competency in VExUS.