Characteristics of Simulation-Based Point-of-Care Ultrasound Education: A Systematic Review of MedEdPORTAL Curricula

Point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is increasingly recognized as a safe, efficacious, and cost-effective diagnostic and procedural tool used by many medical disciplines. Although standardized POCUS curricula are lacking, simulation represents an effective modality to teach the fundamentals of POCUS in medical education. We sought to characterize POCUS simulation cases available within MedEdPORTAL, the primary repository of learning resources for health professions, to highlight areas for future curricular development and study. This systematic review was performed based on a comprehensive search of MedEdPORTAL. Identified simulations were categorized and contrasted with respect to their target audiences, settings, pathologies, required materials and equipment, and POCUS techniques tested. A total of eight curricula were identified. The majority (6/8) were targeted at trainees in acute care specialties. Pathologies included in most simulations involved cardiac or pericardial disease, although obstetric and medical diseases were also tested in isolated cases. While half (4/8) of the identified simulation curricula incorporated diagnostic POCUS interpretation, only a few (2/8) allowed for high-fidelity ultrasound simulation. While self-reported learner satisfaction appeared to be generally high, most (7/8) identified curricula did not include objective assessments of learning outcomes. A small number of simulation-based POCUS curricula have been published within MedEdPORTAL. The widespread use of simulation for POCUS may be limited by the financial costs of high-fidelity training equipment. While simulation provides a highly promising solution to the need for greater instruction in POCUS, there is a need for comprehensive, standardized, and cost-effective curricula that can be adapted to varied educational environments.