(1097) Teaching of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Ukraine: A Post-Course Evaluation

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) courses are frequently taught in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) by high-income countries' (HIC) organizations who may or may not be aware of local language and culture of medical practice. This study evaluates the impact of POCUS training courses taught by United States instructors on Ukrainian anesthesiologists, who often have no previous exposure to the concept of bedside goal-directed ultrasonography.

Methods: A web-based survey was conducted among participants of 1 or 2-day POCUS training courses in Ukraine 6 months or more after course completion, collecting quantitative and qualitative data on demographics, changes in POCUS practice, frequency of use, training activities, resource acquisition, and perceived barriers to implementation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.

Results: The survey response rate was 49% (130/263). Of the 130 respondents, 90% (117/130) reported that they changed their POCUS practice following the course, and 85% (111/130) indicated increased frequency of ultrasound use. Regular feedback to improve practice was reported by 75% (98/130) of participants, and 60% (78/130) trained interns or residents in POCUS post-course. 70% (91/130) sought further resources to enhance their skills. Since the course only 30% reported saving >10 ultrasound images in any cathegory. Reports in clinical charts were reported by 15% respondents. The three most commonly encountered barriers to POCUS practice included lack of access to portable ultrasound devices (45%, 59/130), absence of national guidelines for POCUS (40%, 52/130), and time constraints for learning and practicing POCUS (35%, 46/130). Regarding language needs, 80% (104/130) of respondents preferred course materials in Ukrainian (vs. English).

Conclusions: The integration of POCUS into the Ukrainian healthcare system shows promising progress, yet several challenges need to be addressed. Lack of access to portable ultrasound devices and national guidelines are significant barriers. By extending POCUS training, improving language support, enhancing equipment access, and developing national guidelines, the integration of POCUS can be significantly improved, ultimately enhancing patient care across the country.