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. 2023 Sep 22;15(9):e45758.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.45758. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Implementation and Assessment of a Hybrid Training Course on Point-of-Care Pediatric Ultrasound in Vietnam During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Takaaki Mori  1 , Yek Kee Chor  2 , Thanh Liem Bui  3 , Hong Anh Do  4 , Gene Yong-Kwang Ong  5
Affiliations

Implementation and Assessment of a Hybrid Training Course on Point-of-Care Pediatric Ultrasound in Vietnam During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Takaaki Mori et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background As point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has gained popularity, some educational guidelines have been developed. However, in Vietnam, no training course in pediatric POCUS has yet been developed. This was challenging, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives This study aimed to implement a three-month hybrid training course for pediatric POCUS training in Vietnam using both online and face-to-face hands-on sessions and to assess participants' self-efficacy level and change in their attitudes towards pediatric POCUS. Methods A hybrid training course in pediatric POCUS was implemented at a children's hospital in Vietnam. This study developed a standardized training course, including online learning, live lectures, hands-on sessions, and skill assessment based on the POCUS consensus educational guidelines. Physicians interested in pediatric POCUS were recruited for participation. They completed a self-evaluation survey before and after the course using a Likert score to assess their background, self-efficacy in performing POCUS, overall satisfaction with the course, and change in their attitudes towards POCUS three months after the course. Results A total of 19 physicians participated in the course. The mean post-training self-efficacy score was significantly higher than the pre-course assessment score: 73.1 (standard deviation (SD): 7.2) vs. 48.9 (SD: 12.5) (p <0.05). The efficacy level was retained three months after the course. Furthermore, overall satisfaction with the course was high at 9.5 (SD: 0.6). After the course, almost all participants strongly agreed to increase the use of POCUS in their clinical practice. Conclusion A hybrid training course in pediatric POCUS was successfully implemented in Vietnam and found the participants' self-efficacy level to be significantly higher after the course and the effect to be retained after the course. The training course could positively affect the participants' attitudes towards POCUS, encouraging them to use POCUS more frequently in their clinical practice.

Keywords: child; covid-19 pandemic; education; emergency care; ultrasonography.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. The self-efficacy level of pediatric POCUS in pre- and post-training courses
Figure 2
Figure 2. Pre-training survey
Figure 3
Figure 3. Post-training survey
Figure 4
Figure 4. Pre-training survey
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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