Ultrasound Treasure Hunt: A Novel Teaching Method That Overcomes Direct Patient Care Restrictions Brought on by the COVID-1 9 Pandemic

摘要

Prioritizing trainee safety during the COVID-19 era is paramount. In March 2020, the Association of American Medical Colleges recommended prohibiting medical students from direct patient care in significantly affected regions. 1Guidelines continue evolving; however, the American Medical Association continues to recommend that clinical experiences, not requiring direct patient care, be achieved through virtual formats. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) requires hands-on practice manipulating the probe. 3Identifying correct ultrasound windows and anatomy is challenging for novice sonographers without structured direction. During the pandemic, PPE shortages, hospital crowding, and quarantine due to infection or exposure may restrict learners from interacting with patients or attending workshops. Balancing safety and education requires adaptation of traditional bedside POCUS teaching. Goldsmith et al. 4encourage "educational distancing" and self-directed POCUS education in the COVID-19 era. The ultrasound treasure hunt (UTH) utilizes handheld ultrasound technology, cloud services, and videoconferencing to teach POCUS while maintaining physical distance.