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Intensive point‐of‐care ultrasound training with long‐term follow‐up in a cohort of Rwandan physicians
Author(s) -
Henwood Patricia C.,
Mackenzie David C.,
Rempell Joshua S.,
Douglass Emily,
Dukundane Damas,
Liteplo Andrew S.,
Leo Megan M.,
Murray Alice F.,
Vaillancourt Samuel,
Dean Anthony J.,
Lewiss Resa E.,
Rulisa Stephen,
Krebs Elizabeth,
Raja Rao A. K.,
Rudakemwa Emmanuel,
Rusanganwa Vincent,
Kyanmanywa Patrick,
Noble Vicki E.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12780
Subject(s) - medicine , objective structured clinical examination , ultrasound , cohort , prospective cohort study , point of care ultrasound , cohort study , physical therapy , confidence interval , nursing , surgery , radiology
Abstract Objective We delivered a point‐of‐care ultrasound training programme in a resource‐limited setting in Rwanda, and sought to determine participants' knowledge and skill retention. We also measured trainees' assessment of the usefulness of ultrasound in clinical practice. Methods This was a prospective cohort study of 17 Rwandan physicians participating in a point‐of‐care ultrasound training programme. The follow‐up period was 1 year. Participants completed a 10‐day ultrasound course, with follow‐up training delivered over the subsequent 12 months. Trainee knowledge acquisition and skill retention were assessed via observed structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) administered at six points during the study, and an image‐based assessment completed at three points. Results Trainees reported minimal structured ultrasound education and little confidence using point‐of‐care ultrasound before the training. Mean scores on the image‐based assessment increased from 36.9% (95% CI 32–41.8%) before the initial 10‐day training to 74.3% afterwards (95% CI 69.4–79.2; P < 0.001). The mean score on the initial OSCE after the introductory course was 81.7% (95% CI 78–85.4%). The mean OSCE performance at each subsequent evaluation was at least 75%, and the mean OSCE score at the 58‐week follow up was 84.9% (95% CI 80.9–88.9%). Conclusions Physicians providing acute care in a resource‐limited setting demonstrated sustained improvement in their ultrasound knowledge and skill 1 year after completing a clinical ultrasound training programme. They also reported improvements in their ability to provide patient care and in job satisfaction.