Inspiring the Future of Physician Assistant Ultrasound Education: Lessons Learned From the Inaugural Yes, iScan Event

The prevalence of ultrasound curricula in a sampling of U.S. physician assistant programs and recommendations for common ultrasound objectives: A national survey

An increasing number of practicing physician assistants (PAs) are using ultrasound (US) in clinical settings. However, a lack of US learning objectives for PA students limits the optimal integration of this imaging modality in PA curricula. This study surveyed PA program directors across the United States to create a list of US learning objectives for PA students and to gauge their attitudes toward integrating US into anatomy curricula. Thirty-one of the 280 PA program directors responded to the survey. While 87% of participants reported that their institution includes ultrasound in its curriculum, 71% disagreed that the state of the use of ultrasound throughout their PA curriculum is fine and needs no modification. Based on the responses of the survey participants, this study categorized US learning objectives into high, medium, low, and no agreement for integration in PA curricula. As over half of the learning objectives (73%, 43/59) had high agreement for inclusion in curricula, this study demonstrates an opportunity for educators to include US in PA curricula.

The effect of a point-of-care ultrasound curriculum on PAs in emergency medicine

ABSTRACT

To address identified learning gaps among physician associates/assistants (PAs) working with point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in our ED, we designed and implemented a longitudinal POCUS curriculum. This curriculum introduced the 12 main POCUS applications for emergency medicine with presession educational assignments and in-person learning sessions. We used the Kirkpatrick framework of evaluation to develop our metrics of measurement. To examine the effect of the curriculum, pre- and postcurriculum surveys were completed and use of POCUS before, during, and after the curriculum period was monitored. Our results showed the curriculum increased confidence and knowledge of POCUS applications and significantly increased the use of POCUS clinically by PAs. Formal, on-the-job POCUS education for postgraduate PAs is a vital adjunct to informal clinical learning for PAs in emergency medicine to gain POCUS skills.

Student Ultrasound Interest Group: A Novel Method of Introducing Ultrasound to Physician Assistant Students

PURPOSE

This study describes a student ultrasound interest group (SUIG) in a resource-limited physician assistant (PA) program. The benefits of PA student attitudes and knowledge of ultrasound (US) are described.

METHODS

Participation in the SUIG was voluntary. Didactics included free online access medical education (FOAMed) materials. Initial scanning sessions focused on the Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) exam and were led by a faculty champion with limited US experience. A survey on attitudes and a basic US knowledge test were administered before and after the first session and again 2 months later.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven students (76% female, mean age 26.4) participated in the initial FAST scanning sessions. All participants agreed that the SUIG session was useful. There was a slight increase in confidence after SUIG sessions (1.27 vs 2.92 on a 5-point scale), and 94% reported increased motivation to seek out ultrasound opportunities on clinical rotations. The average score on the knowledge test increased from 37% to 90% after the scanning sessions; the average score waned over time to 80% after 2 months.

CONCLUSION

SUIGs are a valuable way to introduce US to PA students using limited resources. Even minimal exposure can increase PA student confidence and knowledge.

PAs and point-of-care ultrasound: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has rapidly emerged as a valuable tool in the bedside assessment of patients. This scoping review summarizes existing literature covering clinical use and educational integration of POCUS by physician assistants (PAs), with the overall goal of identifying gaps in POCUS research involving the PA profession.

METHODS

Keyword searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, and Google Scholar were conducted. Studies assessing PA POCUS use or accuracy; those evaluating extent, method, or value of POCUS educational integration; and those assessing the effect of POCUS training interventions were included.

RESULTS

Of the 717 studies retrieved, 30 met inclusion criteria. Studies generally demonstrated that PAs can use a fairly wide range of POCUS applications with high accuracy, but that POCUS integration into PA programs remains limited because of a number of identified barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

Machine availability and insufficient POCUS training and education opportunities limit widespread clinical use of POCUS by PAs.