Journal Article

From novice to proficient: a longitudinal study of POCUS skill development through a hybrid certification program in the United Arab Emirates

Kilian, Paddy, Zidan, Marwan Abdelrahim, Khansaheb, Hamda, AlSharhan, Rashid, Zary, Nabil, Buhumaid, Rasha, Salman, Hira

2025

Overview

Background Point-of-care Ultrasound (POCUS) is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool in a wide range of medical specialties. To ensure that practicing physicians are fully equipped with the skills required, there is a need to expand comprehensive training opportunities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa region. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a novel year-long hybrid POCUS certification program aimed at enhancing the confidence and competency of practicing physicians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted involving 12 practicing physicians enrolled in a one-year, part-time hybrid POCUS program. The program consisted of six modules that integrated online educational units, in-person workshops, and supervised clinical practice. Eligibility criteria for the program required participants to be licensed physicians with access to an ultrasound machine that had image storage capabilities within their healthcare setting. Participants’ confidence was assessed through self-reported surveys at four evaluation points. Competency was evaluated using the Ultrasound Competency Assessment Tool (UCAT) at three evaluation points, while ultrasound image quality was assessed throughout the program. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze changes in confidence and competency over time. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationship between confidence and competency scores. Results Participants demonstrated significant improvements in both confidence and competency. Mean total confidence scores increased from 64.0 (SD = 9.9) pre-program to 81.3 (SD = 6.7) post-program ( p  < 0.001). The UCAT scores improved from 64.9 (SD = 13.5) in module two to 78.9 (SD = 3.6) in module six ( p  < 0.001). The UCAT scores for cardiac and lung applications showed the most consistent improvement, while the scores for first trimester ultrasound demonstrated the least improvement. Ultrasound image quality scores demonstrated a positive trend over time with a clear learning trajectory marked by three distinct phases. There was a significant association between ultrasound image quality scores and the number of completed ultrasound scan assignments ( p  < 0.001) for all applications except for first trimester ultrasound, indicating the need for curriculum enhancement in this area. A moderate positive correlation was observed between post-module four confidence scores and module six competence scores ( r  = 0.585, p  = 0.059), however, this correlation was not statistically significant. Conclusion This comprehensive hybrid POCUS program effectively enhanced confidence and competency among practicing physicians. The structured approach, which integrates theoretical knowledge, hands-on practice, and ongoing longitudinal feedback, presents a promising model for POCUS education. These findings inform the development of similar programs, potentially improving POCUS adoption and patient care globally. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adult / Adult education / Adult learning / Andragogy / Blended Learning / Certification / Clinical competence / Clinical Competence - standards / Clinical medicine / College Science / Competence / Competency-Based education / Control Groups / Coronary vessels / Distance learning / Education / Education, Medical, Continuing / Educational aspects / Educational Change / Educational objectives / Educational Opportunities / Educational Principles / Educational programs / Educational research / Educational Theories / Electronic Learning / Emergency medical care / Experiential learning / Feedback / Female / Formative Evaluation / Grading / Health sciences / Humans / Instructional design / Instructional Effectiveness / Knowledge / Knowledge acquisition / Learning Activities / Learning management systems / Learning Theories / Licensing, certification and accreditation / Longitudinal Studies / Male / Measurement Techniques / Medical Education / Medicine / Outcomes of Education / Part Time Faculty / Participant Satisfaction / Patients / Physicians / Point-of-Care Systems - standards / Point-of-care ultrasound / Pregnancy / Prospective Studies / Simulation training / Skill development / Skills / Theory of Medicine/Bioethics / Training / Ultrasonic imaging / Ultrasonography / Ultrasonography - standards / Ultrasound education / Ultrasound imaging / United Arab Emirates / Workshops