Use and Education of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Pediatric Emergency Medicine in Saudi Arabia
We thank Abdullah Akkam, MD, pediatric emergency consultant and program director of the pediatric emergency fellowship at King Saud Medical City, for sharing his pearls of wisdom with us during the course of this research. We also thank Faisal AlGamdi, MD, pediatric emergency consultant and program director of the pediatric emergency fellowship at King Fahad Medical City, for his comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.
Abstract
Objectives
Point-of-care ultrasound (US) is an emerging tool used by pediatric emergency physicians in the last decade. Currently in the Middle East, point-of-care US use and education are at an early stage, with no designed curriculum or guidelines for its implementation in pediatric emergency medicine (EM). The objective of this article is to describe the clinical and educational uses of point-of-care US among certified pediatric EM physicians.
Methods
A 19-question survey was sent to all certified pediatric emergency physicians and fellows in pediatric emergency fellowships in Saudi Arabia in February 2016. Reminders were sent weekly for 4 weeks.
Results
The response rate was 84 of 88 (95%). Fifty-one of 84 (61%) reported using point-of-care US. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma was the most frequent use of point-of-care US (37%), followed by procedures (19%). The most common barrier for not using point-of-care US was limited training (86%). The most preferred tool for point-of-care US teaching was courses by EM physicians. Currently, there is no specific curriculum designed for pediatric EM in the Middle East.
Conclusions
Despite the multiple applications of point-of-care US in pediatric EM, its use is still limited. Formal point-of-care US training with bedside sessions and courses was the mort preferred method of education. A designed curriculum needs to be implemented in pediatric emergency fellowships in Saudi Arabia.
