Abstract
BackgroundCritical care ultrasound (CCUS) is now a core competency for Canadian critical care medicine (CCM) physicians, but little is known about what education is delivered, how competence is assessed, and what challenges exist. We evaluated the Canadian CCUS education landscape and compared it against published recommendations.MethodsA 23-item survey was developed and incorporated a literature review, national recommendations, and expert input. It was sent in the spring of 2019 to all 13 Canadian Adult CCM training programs via their respective program directors. Three months were allowed for data collection and descriptive statistics were compiled.ResultsEleven of 13 (85%) programs responded, of which only 7/11 (64%) followed national recommendations. Curricula differed, as did how education was delivered: 8/11 (72%) used hands-on training; 7/11 (64%) used educational rounds; 5/11 (45%) used image interpretation sessions, and 5/11 (45%) used scan-based feedback. All 11 employed academic half-days, but only 7/11 (64%) used experience gained during clinical service. Only 2/11 (18%) delivered multiday courses, and 2/11 (18%) had mandatory ultrasound rotations. Most programs had only 1 or 2 local CCUS expert-champions, and only 4/11 (36%) assessed learner competency. Common barriers included educators receiving insufficient time and/or support.ConclusionsOur national survey is the first in Canada to explore CCUS education in critical care. It suggests that while CCUS education is rapidly developing, gaps persist. These include variation in curriculum and delivery, insufficient access to experts, and support for educators.
Highlights
Critical care ultrasound (CCUS) is a core competency for Canadian critical care medicine (CCM) physicians, but little is known about what education is delivered, how competence is assessed, and what challenges exist
Little is known about the state of CCUS education in Canadian critical care residency training programs
There is Slemko et al The Ultrasound Journal (2021) 13:48 reason to underscore this point; European and American surveys suggest a lack of trained faculty, and/or formal curriculum, and/or time to supervise trainees [2, 17]. This is the first nationwide Canadian survey examining whether national recommendations have been adopted, how CCUS education is delivered, how competence is assessed, and the challenges faced by educators and learners
Summary
Critical care ultrasound (CCUS) is a core competency for Canadian critical care medicine (CCM) physicians, but little is known about what education is delivered, how competence is assessed, and what challenges exist. There is Slemko et al The Ultrasound Journal (2021) 13:48 reason to underscore this point; European and American surveys suggest a lack of trained faculty, and/or formal curriculum, and/or time to supervise trainees [2, 17]. This is the first nationwide Canadian survey examining whether national recommendations have been adopted, how CCUS education is delivered, how competence is assessed, and the challenges faced by educators and learners
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