{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Efficacy of an online lung ultrasound module on skill acquisition by clinician: a new paradigm.
{Author}: Sharma A;Kumar G;Nagpal R;Naranje K;Sengupta A;Jagannath V;Suryawanshi S;Suryawanshi P;
{Journal}: Front Pediatr
{Volume}: 12
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024
{Factor}: 3.569
{DOI}: 10.3389/fped.2024.1406630
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Lung ultrasound (LUS) as an assessment tool has seen significant expansion in adult, paediatric, and neonatal populations due to advancements in point-of-care ultrasound over the past two decades. However, with fewer experts and learning platforms available in low- and middle-income countries and the lack of a standardised supervised training programme, LUS is not currently effectively used to the best of its potential in neonatal units.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A cross-sectional survey assessed the efficacy of learning LUS via a mentor-based online teaching module (NEOPOCUS). The questionnaire comprised the clinicians' demographic profile, pre-course skills, and self-assessment of skill acquisition after course completion with ongoing hands-on practice.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A total of 175 clinicians responded to the survey, with the majority (87.9%) working in level 3 and 4 neonatal intensive care units. Clinicians had variable clinical experience. Of them, 53.2% were consultant paediatricians/neonatologists with over 10 years of experience. After the course, there was a significant increase in clinician confidence levels in diagnosing and assessing all LUS pathology, as evidenced by the increase in median cumulative scores [from baseline 6 (interquartile range, IQR, 6-9) to 20 (IQR 16-24), p < 0.001] with half of them gaining confidence within 3 months of the course.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>An online curriculum-based neonatal lung ultrasound training programme with clinician image demonstration and peer review of images for image optimisation increases self-reported confidence in diagnosing and managing neonatal lung pathology. Web-based online training in neonatal lung ultrasound has merits that can help with the delivery of training globally, and especially in low- and middle-income countries.