The Effectiveness of Implementation of a Point of Care Ultrasound Curriculum for Pediatric Residents
Recommended Citation
Anderson A, Cleary P, Zarcula C, Patel K, Price E, Hutton JR. The Effectiveness of Implementation of a Point of Care Ultrasound Curriculum for Pediatric Residents. Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Abstract
Background/Significance:
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the inpatient and emergency department settings. Pediatric residency programs across the United States have failed to incorporate POCUS training into their curricula despite strong resident interest.
Purpose:
Currently, pediatric residents at Advocate Children’s Hospital – Park Ridge does not receive POCUS training. Thus, we sought to institute a POCUS curriculum to address that training gap.
Methods:
Residents took a 15-question examination via Google Forms to assess baseline knowledge of POCUS. Over the course of 4 weeks, residents received four separate lectures given by POCUS trained pediatric residents. Topics covered included (1) basics of bedside ultrasound, (2) how to perform a FAST exam, (3) the use of bedside ultrasound in the inpatient setting to evaluate soft-tissue structures, and (4) the use of bedside ultrasound for IV placement. After completion of the lectures, residents were tested using the same 15-question examination. Pre-curriculum and post-curriculum examinations were scored, and percent difference between averages were compared for effectiveness of curriculum in improving knowledge of POCUS.
Results:
46 surveys (23 individual respondents) were included in the final analysis. The average score of the pre-curriculum examination was 62.3% ±5.8%. The average score of the post-curriculum examination was 72.5% ± 4.9%. The difference in score averages between pre-curriculum and post-curriculum examination was approximately 10%.
Conclusion:
POCUS education continues to lag in many residency programs despite its increased use and prevalence in the medical community. The results of this study demonstrate a need for an effective ultrasound curriculum at Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge. Final exam results will demonstrate that the developed curriculum was effective in increasing resident knowledge.
Presentation Notes
Presented at Scientific Day; May 20, 2026; Milwaukee, WI.
Full Text of Presentation
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Document Type
Poster
Open Access
Available to all.
The Effectiveness of Implementation of a Point of Care Ultrasound Curriculum for Pediatric Residents
Background/Significance:
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the inpatient and emergency department settings. Pediatric residency programs across the United States have failed to incorporate POCUS training into their curricula despite strong resident interest.
Purpose:
Currently, pediatric residents at Advocate Children’s Hospital – Park Ridge does not receive POCUS training. Thus, we sought to institute a POCUS curriculum to address that training gap.
Methods:
Residents took a 15-question examination via Google Forms to assess baseline knowledge of POCUS. Over the course of 4 weeks, residents received four separate lectures given by POCUS trained pediatric residents. Topics covered included (1) basics of bedside ultrasound, (2) how to perform a FAST exam, (3) the use of bedside ultrasound in the inpatient setting to evaluate soft-tissue structures, and (4) the use of bedside ultrasound for IV placement. After completion of the lectures, residents were tested using the same 15-question examination. Pre-curriculum and post-curriculum examinations were scored, and percent difference between averages were compared for effectiveness of curriculum in improving knowledge of POCUS.
Results:
46 surveys (23 individual respondents) were included in the final analysis. The average score of the pre-curriculum examination was 62.3% ±5.8%. The average score of the post-curriculum examination was 72.5% ± 4.9%. The difference in score averages between pre-curriculum and post-curriculum examination was approximately 10%.
Conclusion:
POCUS education continues to lag in many residency programs despite its increased use and prevalence in the medical community. The results of this study demonstrate a need for an effective ultrasound curriculum at Advocate Children’s Hospital - Park Ridge. Final exam results will demonstrate that the developed curriculum was effective in increasing resident knowledge.
Affiliations
Advocate Children's Hospital