title: The echocardiography "boot camp": a novel approach in pediatric cardiovascular imaging education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dynamic training schedules introduce novel challenges to medical specialty training programs that require manual dexterity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a 3-day, intensive pediatric echocardiography course ("boot camp") on trainee self-efficacy and on the acquisition and short-term retention of basic echocardiographic knowledge and skills for first-year pediatric cardiology fellows (CFs).
  
  
  METHODS
  The boot camp consisted of hands-on structured practice guided by sonographers and cardiology faculty members, didactic lectures, and reading. Pre-boot camp experience was assessed using an experience score. Outcome measures included written precamp and postcamp examinations, a performance-based test, precamp and postcamp self-efficacy assessments, and the number and quality of echocardiographic examinations performed in the first 3 months of fellowship.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six CFs completed the boot camp. Two of the six CFs reported experience scores of 2 out of 10, whereas the remainder reported experience scores of 0 out of 10. Performance-based test scores ranged from 68 to 99 out of 147. All six CFs reported precamp self-efficacy scores of 21 (the minimum score), compared with median postcamp scores of 82 (range, 49-94) (P = .01). Scores on the written examination improved from median of 16 (range, 11-18) to 23.5 (range, 22-28) (P = .01). CFs who completed the boot camp completed 28 independent echocardiographic examinations (median, 4 per CF) during the first 3 months of fellowship, an increase from six independent examinations (median, 1 per CF) by CFs during the year before institution of the boot camp (P = .030). Echocardiograms obtained by CFs who had completed the boot camp scored higher on total quality (P = .004), overall two-dimensional image quality (P = .011), functional assessments (P = .015), and assessment for pericardial effusion (P = .031).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The echocardiography boot camp improves self-efficacy in performing an echocardiographic examination and the acquisition and short-term retention of skills and knowledge required to perform pediatric echocardiography.
authors.affiliation: Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: samaskat@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Shiraz A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Maskatia
authors.affiliation: Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Carolyn A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Altman
authors.affiliation: Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Shaine A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Lillie Frank Abercrombie Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Antonio G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Cabrera
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000193:education*; D018376:Cardiovascular Abnormalities; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004452:Echocardiography; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D010372:Pediatrics; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: 2D; CF; Cardiology fellow; EXP; Education; Experience score; Fellowship training; PBT; Pediatric cardiology; Performance-based test; Two-dimensional