title: Effect of ultrasound training of physicians working in the prehospital setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advances in technology have made ultrasound (US) devices smaller and portable, hence accessible for prehospital care providers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a four-hour, hands-on US training course for physicians working in the prehospital setting. The primary outcome measure was US performance assessed by the total score in a modified version of the Objective Structured Assessment of Ultrasound Skills scale (mOSAUS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prehospital physicians participated in a four-hour US course consisting of both hands-on training and e-learning including a pre- and a post-learning test. Prior to the hands-on training a pre-training test was applied comprising of five videos in which the participants should identify pathology and a five-minute US examination of a healthy volunteer portraying to be a shocked patient after a blunt torso trauma. Following the pre-training test, the participants received a four-hour, hands-on US training course which was concluded with a post-training test. The US examinations and screen output from the US equipment were recorded for subsequent assessment. Two blinded raters assessed the videos using the mOSAUS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty participants completed the study. A significant improvement was identified in e-learning performance and US performance, (37.5 (SD: 10.0)) vs. (51.3 (SD: 5.9) p = < 0.0001), total US performance score (15.3 (IQR: 12.0-17.5) vs. 17.5 (IQR: 14.5-21.0), p = < 0.0001) and in each of the five assessment elements of the mOSAUS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the prehospital physicians assessed, we found significant improvements in the ability to perform US examinations after completing a four-hour, hands-on US training course.
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, København Ø, Denmark. charlotteloumann@gmail.com.|Emergency Medical Services Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Telegrafvej 5, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark. charlotteloumann@gmail.com.|, Sankt Thomas Allé 13, 3 th., 1824, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. charlotteloumann@gmail.com.
authors: Charlotte Loumann
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3693-4863
authors: CL
authors: Krogh
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, København Ø, Denmark.|Emergency Medical Services Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Telegrafvej 5, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark.
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Steinmetz
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, København Ø, Denmark.|Emergency Medical Services Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Telegrafvej 5, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark.
authors: Søren Steemann
authors: SS
authors: Rudolph
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, København Ø, Denmark.
authors: Rasmus
authors: R
authors: Hesselfeldt
authors: Emergency Medical Services Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Telegrafvej 5, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark.
authors: Freddy K
authors: FK
authors: Lippert
authors: Emergency Medical Services Copenhagen, The Capital Region of Denmark, Telegrafvej 5, 2750, Ballerup, Denmark.
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Berlac
authors: Department of Anaesthesia, Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, København Ø, Denmark.
authors: Lars S
authors: LS
authors: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians / Q000592:standards*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014481:United States; D014743:Videotape Recording
keywords: Assessment; E-learning; Emergency treatment; Prehospital care; Training; Ultrasound