1/ OK - so the issue of competence and short courses appears to becoming my hobby horse! Another article released that confirms what we all know – doctors need time, motivation and good mentoring to attain competence in ultrasound. #POCUS
2/ Unsurprisingly 170/182 doctors responding in this study felt that they did not attain competence after 30 scans, 6 months post short course. Well thank goodness! I am relieved at the outcome but have many concerns.
3/Why is the title of this article suggestive that the cause of trainee competence somehow lies with the impact of an isolated short course? Why is it not more suggestive of the systemic requirements (cultural, academic. Economic etc…) to achieve competence?
4/A short course is an effective and efficient way to kick start the learning process. Time, dedication and deliberate practice are required to attain competence.
5/ Why is it implied that only 30 scans are required to attain competence especially in critically ill patients with complex disease processes?
Why is competence self-assessed?
6/ Why do POC users think that a short course will let them develop a skill that for sonographers/sonologists is in years in the making? Is this supreme arrogance or ignorance? I understand all too well the focused scan that is a point of care exam – however ....
7/ there are still basic image acquisition skills that need to be attained that do take time to develop and more than 30 scans. Would you want to be the recipient of the scan if your operator had only done 30 scans when its likely that many of them have not been mentored?
8/ Why do POC users believe that a short course on it’s own is enough to attain competence? There is so much that happens between a short course and the six month mark. Has the learner practiced regularly? Daily even?
9/ Have they been supervised by a skilled teacher of ultrasound? Have they participated in any quality assurance of their scans? Have they practiced on all types of body habitus’
10/Much like med school starts the learning process towards becoming a DR – you're not a competent doctor when you receive your medical degree. This is just the beginning of a learning journey.
11/ And so it is with a short course in ultrasound. A short course is not a miracle. It is the efficient beginning of a lifelong learning journey!! #POCUS @UltraOriana @zedunow
12/ Link to article: journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/pag… @doctormagic @G2Disrupt
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