Perceived Effectiveness of Teaching Methods for Point of Care Ultrasound

BackgroundPoint of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a rapidly expanding aspect of both the practice and education of emergency physicians. The most effective methods of teaching these valuable skills have not been explored.ObjectiveThis project aimed to identify those methods that provide the best educational value as determined by the learner.MethodsData was collected from pre- and post-course surveys administered to students of the introductory POCUS course provided to emergency medicine residents each year at our facility. Data were collected in 2010 and 2011. Participants were asked to evaluate the effectiveness of small- vs. large-group format, still images vs. video clips, and PowerPoint slides vs. live demonstration vs. hands-on scanning.ResultsStudents felt the most effective methods to be small-group format, video-clip examples, and hands-on scanning sessions. Students also rated hands-on sessions, still images, and video images as more effective in post-course surveys as compared with pre-course surveys.ConclusionsThe methods perceived as most effective for POCUS education are small-group format, video-clip examples, and hands-on scanning sessions.