Point-of-care echocardiography training pathways: a global perspective and the need for standardisation

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• Point-of-care ultrasound echocardiography is crucial for rapid emergency medicine assessments.
• Global training pathways for this skill show significant heterogeneity.
• Standardization, documentation, and quality assurance present challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current point-of-care ultrasound echocardiography training curricula and methods.
• To identify advantages and challenges in global training standardization.
• To propose a framework for an optimal national training program.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing training curricula.
• Analysis of international training models and methodologies.
• Evaluation of current documentation and quality assurance practices.

Main Results:

• Heterogeneity exists in global point-of-care ultrasound echocardiography training pathways.
• Key challenges include standardization, documentation, and quality assurance.
• Successful elements from international models were identified.

Conclusions:

• A standardized national training program is needed for point-of-care ultrasound echocardiography in emergency medicine.
• The proposed framework incorporates an examination and higher education.
• Implementation can enhance quality assurance and clinical assessment capabilities.