Implementation and Assessment of Lung Ultrasound Training Curriculum for Physiotherapists With a Focus on Image Acquisition and Calculation of an Aeration Score.

Described here is the implementation of a lung ultrasound course for physiotherapists focused on the acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills. Initially, we provided online lectures in a virtual learning environment (VLE), in which we taught the semiquantification of edema through a lung ultrasound score (LUS). Afterward, the physiotherapists participated in face-to-face lectures (which resumed the online lectures), followed by hands-on training and simulation with ultrasound. We assessed knowledge acquisition through a multiple-choice test with 30 questions (totaling 10 points). The test was applied before accessing the VLE (pre-VLE), before the face-to-face course and at its end (pre- and post-course). Physiotherapists collected actual patients' ultrasound scans, which were uploaded to the VLE and assessed by three supervisors, who performed a consensus LUS calculation and gave virtual written feedback. Thirteen physiotherapists collected 59 exams. The test results were 3.60 ± 1.58 (pre-VLE), 5.94 ± 1.45 (pre-course) and 8.50 ± 0.71 (post-course), with p < 0.001 for all. The intraclass correlation coefficient for LUS between physiotherapists and supervisors was 0.814 (p < 0.001), with moderate-to-weak agreement for LUS of the lung apical, median and basal zones, with κ = 0.455.334, and 0.417 (p < 0.001 for all). Trainees were found to have increased short-term acquisition and retention of knowledge and skills, with a good intraclass correlation coefficient between them and the consensus of supervisors for the LUS of actual patients.

Implementing healthcare professionals' training during COVID-19: a pre and post-test design for simulation training.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has imposed a new reality that presents several challenges for healthcare professionals. The main challenge has been the lack of proper training in relation to an unknown disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate healthcare professionals' acquisition of knowledge of a new airway management protocol for COVID-19 through their participation in simulation training. DESIGN AND SETTING: Pre and post-test study with purpose sampling, carried out in a tertiary-level hospital in the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional pre and post-test intervention among healthcare professionals working in the intensive care unit and emergency department of a large hospital. The training was carried out using an in situ simulation scenario and the participants answered pre and post-tests consisting of a 20-item questionnaire about the new protocol. RESULTS: The paired-sample t test demonstrated that there was a significant increase in test score (t = -19.06; P < 0.001), from before the training (M = 8.62; standard deviation, SD = 3.53) to after the simulation training (M = 17.02; SD = 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: The simulated training had a positive impact on the healthcare professionals' acquisition of the COVID-19 protocol. We also demonstrated that in situ simulation training was an efficient tool for implementing new protocols, thus bringing benefits to healthcare systems, professionals and patients.

Implementing healthcare professionals' training during COVID-19: a pre and post-test design for simulation training

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has imposed a new reality that presents several challenges for healthcare professionals. The main challenge has been the lack of proper training in relation to an unknown disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate healthcare professionals' acquisition of knowledge of a new airway management protocol for COVID-19 through their participation in simulation training. DESIGN AND SETTING: Pre and post-test study with purpose sampling, carried out in a tertiary-level hospital in the city of Campinas, state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional pre and post-test intervention among healthcare professionals working in the intensive care unit and emergency department of a large hospital. The training was carried out using an in situ simulation scenario and the participants answered pre and post-tests consisting of a 20-item questionnaire about the new protocol. RESULTS: The paired-sample t test demonstrated that there was a significant increase in test score (t = −19.06; P < 0.001), from before the training (M = 8.62; standard deviation, SD = 3.53) to after the simulation training (M = 17.02; SD = 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: The simulated training had a positive impact on the healthcare professionals' acquisition of the COVID-19 protocol. We also demonstrated that in situ simulation training was an efficient tool for implementing new protocols, thus bringing benefits to healthcare systems, professionals and patients.