Training course retains POCUS knowledge, skills among physicians

A recent study has found that practicing physicians can retain point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) knowledge and hands-on skills 8 months after a 2.5-day POCUS training course, irrespective of frequency of POCUS use after the programme.

An online 30-question knowledge test and a directly observed skills test were used to test the participants’ precourse POCUS knowledge and hands-on technical skills, respectively. The same knowledge and skill tests were repeated immediately after the training and after 6–9 months using remote tele-ultrasound software. Participants then completed a survey on their POCUS use precourse and after 6–9 months postcourse.

Overall, 127 providers completed the POCUS training course from October 2016 to November 2017. Knowledge test scores improved from a median of 60 percent to 90 percent immediately postcourse, which was followed by a slight decrease to 87 percent after 8 months postcourse. Median skills test scores for four common POCUS applications (ie, heart, lung, abdomen, vascular access) also increased from 36 points precourse to 74 points immediate postcourse and decreased 2–7 points after 8 months.

More frequent POCUS use by providers was reported postcourse, suggesting application of their POCUS knowledge and skills in clinical practice. Furthermore, more frequent use of cardiac POCUS applications correlated with a significantly higher retention of cardiac skills at 8 months.

“POCUS use continues to increase in many specialties, but lack of POCUS training is a known barrier among practicing physicians,” the authors said. “Many physicians are obtaining POCUS training through postgraduate courses.”