Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners
Introduction: The African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM) recommends the use of emergency point-of-care ultrasound (ePOCUS) as a core skill for health care practitioners in Africa. The study explored the use of ePOCUS by health care practitioners among AFEM members who work across Africa. Me...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-12-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X22000544 |
| _version_ | 1828152791165566976 |
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| author | Daniël Jacobus van Hoving Annet Ngabirano Alenyo Faith Komagum Hein Lamprecht |
| author_facet | Daniël Jacobus van Hoving Annet Ngabirano Alenyo Faith Komagum Hein Lamprecht |
| author_sort | Daniël Jacobus van Hoving |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM) recommends the use of emergency point-of-care ultrasound (ePOCUS) as a core skill for health care practitioners in Africa. The study explored the use of ePOCUS by health care practitioners among AFEM members who work across Africa. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to individual members of AFEM and affiliated organisations. The questionnaire was tested by the AFEM Scientific Committee for potential content modifications prior to distribution. Summary statistics are presented. Results: Of the 220 participants that were analysed, 148 (67.3%) were using ePOCUS. The mean age was 36 years; 146 (66%) were male; and 198 (90%) obtained their primary medical qualification in Africa. In total, 168 (76%) were doctors, and most participants (n = 204, 93%) have worked in Africa during the last 5 years. Reasons for not using ePOCUS mainly related to lack of training and problems with ultrasound machines or consumables. Most ePOCUS users (116/148, 78%) attended courses with hands-on training, but only 65 (44%) participants were credentialed (by 18 different organizations). The median score for self-perceived level of ePOCUS skills was 75 in credentialed users versus 50 in those that were not credentialed. Ultrasound in trauma was the most frequently used module (n = 141, 99%), followed by focused cardiac assessment (n = 128, 90%) and thoracic (including lung) assessment (n = 128, 90.1%). The FASH-module (Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV/TB) was the least used (n = 69, 49%). Conclusion: Access barriers to ePOCUS training, mentorship, equipment and consumables are still relevant in Africa. The low credentialing rate and the potential discordance between local burden of disease and ePOCUS training requires further investigation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:15:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-67a5605bc0f14421a009f5e0e8f293fd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2211-419X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T22:15:24Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-67a5605bc0f14421a009f5e0e8f293fd2022-12-22T04:00:24ZengElsevierAfrican Journal of Emergency Medicine2211-419X2022-12-01124333338Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitionersDaniël Jacobus van Hoving0Annet Ngabirano Alenyo1Faith Komagum2Hein Lamprecht3Division of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Corresponding author.Department of Emergency Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, UgandaDivision of Emergency Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South AfricaIntroduction: The African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM) recommends the use of emergency point-of-care ultrasound (ePOCUS) as a core skill for health care practitioners in Africa. The study explored the use of ePOCUS by health care practitioners among AFEM members who work across Africa. Methods: An anonymous online survey was distributed to individual members of AFEM and affiliated organisations. The questionnaire was tested by the AFEM Scientific Committee for potential content modifications prior to distribution. Summary statistics are presented. Results: Of the 220 participants that were analysed, 148 (67.3%) were using ePOCUS. The mean age was 36 years; 146 (66%) were male; and 198 (90%) obtained their primary medical qualification in Africa. In total, 168 (76%) were doctors, and most participants (n = 204, 93%) have worked in Africa during the last 5 years. Reasons for not using ePOCUS mainly related to lack of training and problems with ultrasound machines or consumables. Most ePOCUS users (116/148, 78%) attended courses with hands-on training, but only 65 (44%) participants were credentialed (by 18 different organizations). The median score for self-perceived level of ePOCUS skills was 75 in credentialed users versus 50 in those that were not credentialed. Ultrasound in trauma was the most frequently used module (n = 141, 99%), followed by focused cardiac assessment (n = 128, 90%) and thoracic (including lung) assessment (n = 128, 90.1%). The FASH-module (Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV/TB) was the least used (n = 69, 49%). Conclusion: Access barriers to ePOCUS training, mentorship, equipment and consumables are still relevant in Africa. The low credentialing rate and the potential discordance between local burden of disease and ePOCUS training requires further investigation.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X22000544UltrasoundTrainingAccreditationCredentialingAfrica |
| spellingShingle | Daniël Jacobus van Hoving Annet Ngabirano Alenyo Faith Komagum Hein Lamprecht Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners African Journal of Emergency Medicine Ultrasound Training Accreditation Credentialing Africa |
| title | Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners |
| title_full | Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners |
| title_fullStr | Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners |
| title_short | Current use and perceived barriers of emergency point-of-care ultrasound by African health care practitioners |
| title_sort | current use and perceived barriers of emergency point of care ultrasound by african health care practitioners |
| topic | Ultrasound Training Accreditation Credentialing Africa |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211419X22000544 |
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