TOP 70 - Pilot of a Competency-Based, Asynchronous POCUS Curriculum with Quality Assurance for Pediatric Critical Care Trainees

Publication Number: 1829.TOP 70

Brendan C. Barry, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, boston, MA, United States; Michael Salt, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, United States

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an essential bedside diagnostic and procedural tool in adult critical care, supported by established curricula and competency standards. In pediatric critical care, however, formalized, competency-based POCUS training remains limited. Current efforts focus mainly on knowledge assessments, with less emphasis on practical image acquisition, interpretive accuracy, ongoing quality assurance, and feedback—factors crucial for defining genuine competence. This gap hampers the widespread adoption of POCUS skills needed for timely decision-making. To address this, we developed a hybrid curriculum that includes standard didactic lectures, asynchronous learning, and the integration of hands-on training for skills acquisition to encourage practical skill development with real-time clinical application and continuous quality improvement. Our goal is to create a reliable system for trainee credentialing and ongoing proficiency validation.

Objective: This pilot aims to evaluate the feasibility and educational impact of a novel, competency-based POCUS training and QA system for pediatric critical care trainees. Specifically, we aim to: (1) simulate and assess the process of image collection, submission, and expert review; (2) simulate the number and types of scans required for competence; and (3) monitor trends in image quality and interpretive accuracy over time. Ultimately, this will inform a scalable curriculum that integrates continuous feedback, accelerates skill acquisition, and ensures ongoing quality assurance.

Design/Methods: This prospective pilot runs from July to December 2025. Pediatric critical care fellows, attendings, and radiologists will perform indicated POCUS scans during routine care, including cardiac, pulmonary, abdominal, and procedural images. All images, interpretations, and clinical data will be uploaded into a secure REDCap database. Participants will perform at least 5-10 scans per category over 6 months. Monthly virtual reviews with radiologists and pediatric emergency physicians will evaluate image quality, accuracy, and technique, with structured feedback provided. Data collected include submission counts, image quality ratings, interpretive concordance, and progression trends. Analysis will include descriptive statistics, assessment of feasibility metrics, and longitudinal tracking of trainee improvement. Results will guide curriculum refinement and be ready for dissemination by January 2026.