Feasibility of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound performed by clinicians at health centers in Tanzania.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Point-of-care cardiac ultrasound (cardiac POCUS) has potential to become a useful tool for improving cardiovascular care in Tanzania. We conducted a pilot program to train clinicians at peripheral health centers to obtain and interpret focused cardiac POCUS examinations using a hand-held portable device.

Methods

Over a 5-day period, didactic and experiential methods were used to train clinicians to conduct a pre-specified scanning protocol and recognize key pathologies. Pre- and post-training knowledge and post-training image acquisition competency were assessed. In their usual clinical practices, trainees then scanned patients with cardiovascular signs/symptoms, recorded a pre-specified set of images for each scan, and documented their interpretation as to presen

SUBMITTER: Kimambo D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8117304 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature