title: Observations during development of an internal medicine residency training program in cardiovascular limited ultrasound examination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the future potential of using ultrasound stethoscopes to augment the bedside cardiac physical, few data exist on a general cardiovascular imaging protocol that can be taught to physicians on a perpetual basis as a curriculum in graduate medical education.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the past decade, we developed and integrated a cardiovascular limited ultrasound training program within the confines of an internal medicine residency. The evidence-based rationale for the exam, the teaching methods, and curriculum are delineated, and subsequent observations regarding program requirements, proficiency, and academic outcomes are explored. Analysis of variance and linear regression assessed for relationships between academic scores, chief resident selection, and gender to proficiency in ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A brief, 5-minute cardiovascular limited ultrasound exam (CLUE) was taught using both didactic and bedside methods, and practiced primarily within the cardiology consult, outpatient clinic, and intensive care rotations. Program costs were minimized by employing readily available institutional resources. After a 2-year lead-in training phase, the subsequent 4 years of senior resident performance (n = 41 residents) showed an 81% pass rate in CLUE competency. Resident ultrasound performance did not relate to academic scores (r = 0.05, P = 0.75), chief resident selection, nor gender. Observations regarding resident pitfalls in CLUE practice and increased participation in extracurricular research are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report our initial experience in developing and implementing a training program for bedside cardiovascular ultrasound examination that employed evidence-based techniques, set proficiency goals, and assessed resident performance. It may be feasible to teach future internist-hospitalists the technique of bedside ultrasound during residency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA. kimura.bruce@scrippshealth.org
authors.forename: Bruce J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kimura
authors.forename: Stan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Amundson
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.forename: Donna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Agan
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014481:United States