The Variable Journey in Learning to Interpret Pediatric Point-of-care Ultrasound Images: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesTo complement bedside learning of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), we developed an online learning assessment platform for the visual interpretation component of this skill. This study examined the amount and rate of skill acquisition in POCUS image interpretation in a cohort of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physician learners. MethodsThis was a multicenter prospective cohort study. PEM physicians learned POCUS using a computer-based image repository and learning assessment system that allowed participants to deliberately practice image interpretation of 400 images from four pediatric POCUS applications (soft tissue, lung, cardiac, and focused assessment sonography for trauma [FAST]). Participants completed at least one application (100 cases) over a 4-week period. ResultsWe enrolled 172 PEM physicians (114 attendings, 65 fellows). The increase in accuracy from the initial to final 25 cases was 11.6%, 9.8%, 7.4%, and 8.6% for soft tissue, lung, cardiac, and FAST, respectively. For all applications, the average learners (50th percentile) required 0 to 45, 25 to 97, 66 to 175, and 141 to 290 cases to reach 80, 85, 90, and 95% accuracy, respectively. The least efficient (95th percentile) learners required 60 to 288, 109 to 456, 160 to 666, and 243 to 1040 cases to reach these same accuracy benchmarks. Generally, the soft tissue application required participants to complete the least number of cases to reach a given proficiency level, while the cardiac application required the most. ConclusionsDeliberate practice of pediatric POCUS image cases using an online learning and assessment platform may lead to skill improvement in POCUS image interpretation. Importantly, there was a highly variable rate of achievement across learners and applications. These data inform our understanding of POCUS image interpretation skill development and could complement bedside learning and performance assessments.