Implementation and Evaluation of a Longitudinal Flipped-Classroom Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curriculum at an Internal Medicine Residency Program

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has extensive clinical utility in internal medicine, but formal and uniform curricula in internal medicine are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of a longitudinal, flipped-classroom, academic half-day curriculum on internal medicine resident confidence, utilization, and changes in clinical management. METHODS: We implemented an asynchronous, flipped-classroom, academic half-day curriculum from November 2020 to November 2021 and conducted an evaluation with a prospective, before-after cohort study. Curriculum included 4 rotating sessions comprised of 20 to 30 min of image interpretation followed by 1.5 to 2 h of image acquisition. Confidence was rated via Likert scale. Utilization was reported via indicating never, 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, or >6 times per month (recorded as 1-5, respectively). Image interpretation was assessed via a 6-question, multiple-choice video assessment. RESULTS: Nineteen of 99 potential residents (19%) completed a pre- and post-curriculum evaluation. Residents attended a median of 4 sessions. Confidence improved from 2.47 to 3.53 (P = .002). Utilization did not improve overall (2.11-2.42, P = .22), but utilization of left ventricular function assessment (1.53-2.00, P = .046) and pulmonary assessment (1.53-2.00, P = .039) increased. The percentage of residents that had ever changed their clinical management by POCUS increased from 47% to 84% after implementation of the curriculum. Cardiac, pulmonary/pleural, volume assessment, and abdominal free fluid exams were reported as the most clinically useful. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a longitudinal, academic half-day curriculum for POCUS resulted in improved confidence, increased POCUS utilization for the cardiac and pulmonary examination, and changes in clinical management based on POCUS.