Virtual Ultrasound Training in a Multinational Teaching Program

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Before the COVID-19 pandemic, a 1-week in-person Clinical Ultrasound Course was taught in African nations as part of a U.S. Department of State-funded program that supports and trains African peacekeepers serving with the United Nations and African Union. In order to maintain active engagement with host nations despite the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, portions of the course were taught virtually in 2021 to providers in Ghana, Senegal, and Rwanda. An abbreviated course was delivered covering the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) trauma exam and vascular access. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the Clinical Ultrasound Course while taught in a virtual classroom. Materials and Methods Thirty-six participants enrolled in the program. Participants completed a pre-course survey before the training. Training consisted of a pre-recorded lecture followed by hands-on ultrasound instruction. After the training, participants completed a post-course survey. Eight participants were excluded from the study because they did not complete both surveys. Survey questions assessed the participants’ comfort with ultrasound mechanics and the FAST exam. Participant responses were measured utilizing a visual analog scale. Results Based on survey results, all participants gained a better understanding of the indications and limitations of the FAST exam from the virtual Clinical Ultrasound Course. All participants also felt more comfortable using ultrasound in clinical practice than they did before the course. Ghanaian and Senegalese participants showed greater improvement in all areas studied than Rwandan participants. This is likely due to the fact that the Rwandan hospital system had prior ultrasound training and a higher baseline understanding than their counterparts. The Rwandan hospital system had previously completed the in-person sessions of the Clinical Ultrasound Course and therefore had some institutional knowledge, while the Ghanaians and Senegalese took the course for the first time during this study. Conclusion Virtual delivery of the Clinical Ultrasound Course was successful. Participants felt more comfortable in all aspects of ultrasound taught during the course and indicated that they were more likely to use ultrasound in clinical practice. This demonstrates that virtual ultrasound teaching is a viable option for international educational programs in the future.