Ultrasound Training for Emergency Medicine

Overseen By Abha Singh

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Duke University

Disqualifiers: Non-APPs

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new training program for using small ultrasound devices in emergency rooms. The goal is to determine if this training helps emergency staff, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, use these devices more effectively to improve patient care. The trial specifically seeks advanced practice providers (APPs) currently working in an emergency department. The aim is to establish a standard method for teaching this skill, enabling emergency staff to use ultrasounds quickly and accurately. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to developing innovative training methods that could enhance emergency care.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this ultrasound training is safe for emergency medicine providers?

Research has shown that cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in emergency situations is safe and well-tolerated. Studies have found that this ultrasound helps doctors diagnose patients more quickly without causing harm. For instance, in 2022, a non-specialist doctor performed a basic heart ultrasound on 560 emergency room patients, with no reports of negative effects. Overall, POCUS is considered a safe and effective tool for improving patient care. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training represents a significant advancement in emergency medicine, particularly for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs). Unlike traditional diagnostic methods that may require more time and specialized personnel, POCUS allows APPs to quickly assess cardiac conditions right at the patient's bedside, which is especially beneficial in rural and community hospitals where resources are limited. This method is not only faster but also enhances the diagnostic capabilities of nonphysician healthcare providers, potentially leading to quicker decision-making and improved patient outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this ultrasound training is effective for emergency medicine?

Research has shown that training in cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) greatly enhances the skills and knowledge of emergency healthcare providers. In one study, participants' test scores rose significantly after training, starting from an average of 79.0%. Another study found that POCUS training helped shorten hospital stays and reduce costs, indicating improved patient care. Additionally, POCUS proved effective in 70% of cases, with treatment plans changing in 40% of those cases. This suggests that POCUS training has strong potential to enhance emergency care. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for emergency medicine physicians and advanced practice providers who are interested in improving their skills with cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Specific eligibility criteria details were not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an APP working in the ED, or will be hired soon.

Exclusion Criteria

Non-APPs such as physicians, nurses, or other clinical staff

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Participants complete a cardiac POCUS simulation session and a hands-on structured clinical skill exam post-training

1-2 years

Multiple sessions as part of the training program

Implementation

APPs perform POCUS while supervised by EM attending physicians as part of standard clinical care

1-2 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the educational and clinical impact of the training model

6 months post-training

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training

Trial Overview The study tests a training program for cardiac POCUS. It aims to evaluate the knowledge and technical skill of medical professionals using simulation and just-in-time training, with the goal of standardizing this model to enhance patient care.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Cohort Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are nonphysicians essential to the emergency department workforce, especially in rural and community hospitals.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Duke University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,495

Recruited

5,912,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10787655/

Point-of-Care Cardiac Ultrasound Training Programme In 2022, a total of 560 patients were examined in the emergency department using the limited echocardiography protocol by a noncardiologist who ...

2. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2838514

Cardiopulmonary Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for ... In our study, POCUS was associated with reduced hospital stays and lower costs, suggesting that it could enhance the value of care and improve ...

3. bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-025-07954-6

Longitudinal point-of-care ultrasound training program for ... A significant improvement in POCUS knowledge was observed among participants. The mean written exam score increased from 79.0% (± 5.8%) pre- ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1443950624007558

The Solution to Improving Access and Patient Flow? 70% of POCUS were deemed clinically adequate. Downstream clinical management in 40% of patients was altered following POCUS study. Importantly, 10% of patients ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40313440/

Performance of High-Quality Point-of-Care Ultrasound by ... This study evaluates the impact of an educational intervention on APPs' ability to perform high-quality, billable POCUS in a high-volume ...

6. emed.theclinics.com emed.theclinics.com/article/S0733-8627(24)00073-7/fulltext

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a skill that emergency physicians (EPs) have harnessed to improve patient care by decreasing time to diagnosis.

7. annemergmed.com annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(23)00903-4/fulltext

223 Usage and Clinical Impact of Point-of-Care Ultrasound ... We sought to assess the usage and clinical impact of key POCUS applications among EM residents and recent residency graduates.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11163417/

Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department The results indicated a generally positive perception of POCUS among all employee types. Physician had significant exposure and training of POCUS than non- ...