title: Thoracic ultrasound recognition of competence: A position paper of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand.
abstract: The ability to perform bedside thoracic ultrasound is increasingly recognized as an essential skill for thoracic clinicians, extending the clinical examination and aiding diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Thoracic ultrasound reduces complications and increases success rates when used prior to thoracentesis or intercostal chest tube insertion. It is increasingly difficult to defend performing these procedures without real or near-real time image guidance. To assist thoracic physicians and others achieve and demonstrate thoracic ultrasound competence, the Interventional Pulmonology Special Interest Group (IP-SIG) of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ) has developed a new pathway with four components: (i) completion of an approved thoracic ultrasound theory and hands-on teaching course. (ii) A log of at least 40 relevant scans. (iii) Two formative assessments (following 5-10 scans and again after 20 scans) using the Ultrasound-Guided Thoracentesis Skills and Tasks Assessment Tool (UG-STAT). (iv) A barrier assessment (UG-STAT, pass score of 90%) by an accredited assessor not directly involved in the candidate's training. Upon completion of these requirements a candidate may apply to the TSANZ for recognition of competence. This pathway is intended to provide a regional standard for thoracic ultrasound training.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Twaddell
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.|School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Y C Gary
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salamonsen
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hew
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fielding
authors.affiliation: The Department of Thoracic Medicine, The Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Phan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.|Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinfort
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.|Centre for Healthy Lungs, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grainge
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D015272:Pulmonary Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012955:Societies, Medical; D000069258:Thoracentesis / Q000379:methods; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*
keywords: assessment; competence; education; pleural disease; ultrasound