(1112) Pediatric Critical Care Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training: Where Are Fellowships Now?

Introduction: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has shifted from a budding technology to a critical bedside tool, and in many cases, is standard of care in pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM). Despite its importance, there are barriers to education and implementation. While larger academic medical centers have published successful curricular implementation, there has not been a broad assessment of the PCCM fellowship POCUS educational landscape in many years.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed and electronically distributed to program directors or the designated fellowship POCUS educator of 76 PCCM ACGME accredited fellowship. The 28-item survey was constructed and revised based on current literature and published surveys along with local and national POCUS expert consultation. The needs assessment-based survey focused on the current state of POCUS use and education within PCCM fellowships, as well as satisfaction and barriers to POCUS education in PCCM.

Results: Individuals from 43% of PCCM programs completed surveys. Respondents reported fellows using POCUS both procedurally and diagnostically on at least a weekly basis (97% and 73% respectively). While 91% of programs had some level of POCUS education, just 67% had established POCUS curricula. Only 15% were satisfied with POCUS education provided to their trainees; with a majority believing it could be enhanced in terms of diagnostic use compared to procedural use. Programs cited the lack of faculty with POCUS experience to supervise trainees (76%), lack of time for curriculum development (39%) and hospital leadership (21%) as the biggest barriers to POCUS education. Most programs felt PCCM divisions had a supportive attitude toward POCUS education for fellows and faculty (97% and 74% respectively). However, this was lacking from hospital leadership and radiology departments with 39% and 29% of programs reporting supportive attitudes towards POCUS education for trainees and even less for faculty (33% and 24% respectively).

Conclusions: Multiple opportunities exist to advance POCUS education within PCCM fellowships. The barriers identified by this needs assessment may be addressed by increasing faculty protected time, hospital wide support, collaboration and funding.