General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study
Abstract Background As an imaging modality, ultrasound relies on user skill and demands the integration of anatomical understanding, image acquisition techniques, and clinical knowledge. Proficiency in performing Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) examinations is a gradual process necessitating ongoin...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07356-8 |
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| author | Camilla Aakjær Andersen Søren Lundbye-Christensen Allan Riis Ulrike Mehnert Thomas Løkkegaard Troels Mengel-Jørgensen Liv Dyre Rasmussen Nicolai Soll Bo Stork Søren Kæseler Andersen Louise Pil Christian Stjernebjerg Ole Graumann Martin Bach Jensen |
| author_facet | Camilla Aakjær Andersen Søren Lundbye-Christensen Allan Riis Ulrike Mehnert Thomas Løkkegaard Troels Mengel-Jørgensen Liv Dyre Rasmussen Nicolai Soll Bo Stork Søren Kæseler Andersen Louise Pil Christian Stjernebjerg Ole Graumann Martin Bach Jensen |
| author_sort | Camilla Aakjær Andersen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background As an imaging modality, ultrasound relies on user skill and demands the integration of anatomical understanding, image acquisition techniques, and clinical knowledge. Proficiency in performing Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) examinations is a gradual process necessitating ongoing practice and exposure. Office-based general practitioners (GPs) encounter distinctive educational challenges when striving to acquire and sustain scanning competences. Therefore, traditional short workshops and training programs are not well suited for GPs. This hybrid effectiveness-implementation study aimed to explore whether a novel educational program, specifically tailored to meet the learning needs of office-based GPs, could lead to scanning competence by the program's conclusion and if this competence can be sustained post-course. Methods GPs working in office-based general practice in Denmark were invited to participate in a three-months ultrasound educational program. To assess its effectiveness, participants underwent scanning competence evaluation by external experts at the end of the training program and again three months later. The experts assessed the participants twice using the objective structured assessment of ultrasounds skills (OSAUS) standardized evaluation tool. This evaluation covered seven items: ‘indication for the examination’, ‘applied knowledge of ultrasound equipment’, ‘image optimization’, ‘systematic examination’, ‘interpretation of images’, ‘documentation of the examination’, and ‘medical decision-making’. To evaluate implementation of the educational program, data were collected on the participants’ completion of the program’s educational elements and their use of POCUS following the program. Results The 18 participating GPs were found to have scanning competence scores after completing the educational program, ranging from 68.9% to 82.3% of the maximum score, depending on the POCUS application. At follow-up, their scores had significantly increased for all POCUS applications, ranging from 80.9% to 92.6% of the maximum score. While completion of the educational elements varied between participants, all implemented POCUS in their daily practice during the educational program. Conclusion This study emphasizes that a customized training program, considering the learning challenges faced by office-based GPs, can result in scanning proficiency that continues to develop in the months following the training. Trial registration Clinical trials registration ID NCT05274581. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cc727fc36a0740bfabfbc022b135d038 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-cc727fc36a0740bfabfbc022b135d0382025-08-20T03:48:18ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-05-0125111110.1186/s12909-025-07356-8General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation studyCamilla Aakjær Andersen0Søren Lundbye-Christensen1Allan Riis2Ulrike Mehnert3Thomas Løkkegaard4Troels Mengel-Jørgensen5Liv Dyre Rasmussen6Nicolai Soll7Bo Stork8Søren Kæseler Andersen9Louise Pil10Christian Stjernebjerg11Ole Graumann12Martin Bach Jensen13Center for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityResearch Data and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityDepartment of Radiology, Aarhus University HospitalCenter for General Practice at Aalborg University, Aalborg UniversityAbstract Background As an imaging modality, ultrasound relies on user skill and demands the integration of anatomical understanding, image acquisition techniques, and clinical knowledge. Proficiency in performing Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) examinations is a gradual process necessitating ongoing practice and exposure. Office-based general practitioners (GPs) encounter distinctive educational challenges when striving to acquire and sustain scanning competences. Therefore, traditional short workshops and training programs are not well suited for GPs. This hybrid effectiveness-implementation study aimed to explore whether a novel educational program, specifically tailored to meet the learning needs of office-based GPs, could lead to scanning competence by the program's conclusion and if this competence can be sustained post-course. Methods GPs working in office-based general practice in Denmark were invited to participate in a three-months ultrasound educational program. To assess its effectiveness, participants underwent scanning competence evaluation by external experts at the end of the training program and again three months later. The experts assessed the participants twice using the objective structured assessment of ultrasounds skills (OSAUS) standardized evaluation tool. This evaluation covered seven items: ‘indication for the examination’, ‘applied knowledge of ultrasound equipment’, ‘image optimization’, ‘systematic examination’, ‘interpretation of images’, ‘documentation of the examination’, and ‘medical decision-making’. To evaluate implementation of the educational program, data were collected on the participants’ completion of the program’s educational elements and their use of POCUS following the program. Results The 18 participating GPs were found to have scanning competence scores after completing the educational program, ranging from 68.9% to 82.3% of the maximum score, depending on the POCUS application. At follow-up, their scores had significantly increased for all POCUS applications, ranging from 80.9% to 92.6% of the maximum score. While completion of the educational elements varied between participants, all implemented POCUS in their daily practice during the educational program. Conclusion This study emphasizes that a customized training program, considering the learning challenges faced by office-based GPs, can result in scanning proficiency that continues to develop in the months following the training. Trial registration Clinical trials registration ID NCT05274581.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07356-8UltrasonographyTrainingContinuous Medical EducationPrimary HealthcareGeneral PractitionersFamily medicine |
| spellingShingle | Camilla Aakjær Andersen Søren Lundbye-Christensen Allan Riis Ulrike Mehnert Thomas Løkkegaard Troels Mengel-Jørgensen Liv Dyre Rasmussen Nicolai Soll Bo Stork Søren Kæseler Andersen Louise Pil Christian Stjernebjerg Ole Graumann Martin Bach Jensen General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study BMC Medical Education Ultrasonography Training Continuous Medical Education Primary Healthcare General Practitioners Family medicine |
| title | General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study |
| title_full | General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study |
| title_fullStr | General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study |
| title_full_unstemmed | General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study |
| title_short | General practitioners’ scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study |
| title_sort | general practitioners scanning competence following tailored ultrasound training a hybrid effectiveness implementation study |
| topic | Ultrasonography Training Continuous Medical Education Primary Healthcare General Practitioners Family medicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07356-8 |
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