Impact of Prehospital Ultrasound Training on Simulated Paramedic Clinical Decision-Making.
Journal
The western journal of emergency medicine
ISSN: 1936-9018
Titre abrégé: West J Emerg Med
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101476450
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Sep 2024
Sep 2024
Historique:
received:
21
08
2023
revised:
08
03
2024
accepted:
22
03
2024
medline:
25
9
2024
pubmed:
25
9
2024
entrez:
25
9
2024
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
When used appropriately, focused limited-scope ultrasound exams could potentially provide paramedics with accurate and actionable diagnostic information to guide prehospital decision-making. In this study we aimed to investigate the impact of a 13-hour prehospital ultrasound training course on the simulated clinical decision-making of paramedics as well as their ultrasound skills, knowledge, and self-confidence. We evaluated the ultrasound competence of 31 participants using post-course written and practical assessments. Written clinical decision scenarios were administered pre- and post-training. Post-training scenarios included an uninterpreted ultrasound clip to aid decision-making. Scenarios included extended focused assessment with sonography in trauma, pulmonary exam, and focused echocardiography combined with carotid pulse check exams. Correct answers to scenarios were defined as those selected by a veteran emergency physician. Participants also indicated their confidence in each of their decisions using a Likert scale. Training yielded a statistically significant increase in both mean scenario score (35.5% absolute increase) and mean participant self-confidence (15.8% relative increase), across all exam/decision types assessed ( Trained paramedics can perform focused ultrasound exams and accurately interpret and apply actionable exam findings in the context of written scenarios. Analysis through our model characterized the theoretical clinical yield of each prehospital ultrasound exam and demonstrated how each exam may provide improved decision accuracy in several specific simulated clinical contexts. These results provide support for growing evidence that focused limited-scope ultrasound may be an effective prehospital diagnostic tool in the hands of trained paramedics.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39319810
doi: 10.5811/westjem.18439
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
784-792Références
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