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Evaluation of a Short‐term Training Program in Bedside Emergency Ultrasound in Southwestern Tanzania
Author(s) -
Shaffer Mark,
Brown Heather A.,
McCoy Chloé,
Bashaka Prosper
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of ultrasound in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1550-9613
pISSN - 0278-4297
DOI - 10.7863/ultra.16.04006
Subject(s) - medicine , tanzania , emergency ultrasound , referral , focused assessment with sonography for trauma , training (meteorology) , ultrasound , emergency department , medical education , medical emergency , emergency medicine , nursing , radiology , physics , environmental science , environmental planning , meteorology , abdominal trauma , blunt
Objectives To evaluate the effect of a short‐term training program in emergency ultrasound on physician skills and attitudes in southwestern Tanzania. Methods Eight registrar physicians at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital (Mbeya, Tanzania) underwent a 5‐day course in bedside emergency ultrasound, focusing primarily on the focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination, including didactic sessions, practical sessions, and on‐job training. The impact on ultrasound knowledge was assessed by pretest and posttest evaluations. Provider skill was evaluated by a standardized observed simulated patient encounter. Attitudes toward ultrasound training, utility, and self‐confidence were assessed by a post‐training questionnaire. Results All 8 physicians who began the training completed the course and successfully passed their objective structured clinical examination. There was a statistically significant improvement in written ultrasound test scores from 31% to 66% ( P < .01) after the course. Most trainees felt confident performing and interpreting a basic focused assessment with sonography for trauma examination at the end of the course, and 7 of 8 stated that they would consider paying tuition for similar courses in the future. Main concerns with the course revolved around insufficient time dedicated to practicing under supervision. Conclusions Registrar physicians in Tanzania can effectively learn basic emergency ultrasound skills in a short‐term training program. Similar future programs may consider heavier emphasis on practical hands‐on training with experts. Ongoing data collection is required to understand the true impact of such training on long‐term ultrasound use and patient outcomes.