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Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Training Program in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: A Study Based on Kern’s Curriculum Development Model
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Elmira Hajiesmaeil Memar   , Ali Labaf * , Mahboobeh Khabaz Mafinejad , Rohola Shirzadi |
| Tehran University of Medical Science |
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Abstract: (79 Views) |
Background and aims: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that plays a critical role in the management of pediatric emergency patients. However, there is a recognized gap in Iran regarding standardized and comprehensive POCUS training programs. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a POCUS training course for third-year pediatric residents at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2025.
Methods: This single-group, pretest-posttest educational intervention was developed based on Kern’s model of curriculum development. The POCUS training course, focused on pediatric emergency applications, was delivered as a two-day (16-hour) workshop comprising both theoretical instruction and hands-on practice. The effectiveness of the course was assessed among 16 third-year pediatric residents using three evaluation instruments: (1) a 35-item multiple-choice written examination administered before and after the course to measure theoretical knowledge; (2) a three-point checklist assessing practical skills across 10 key POCUS domains; and (3) a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire evaluating satisfaction levels among both residents and faculty members.
Results: The mean score on the knowledge assessment significantly improved from 13.56 ± 3.84 in the pretest to 22.06 ± 4.28 in the posttest (P < 0.001), reflecting a very large effect size (Cohen’s d = 2.27). Regarding practical skills, 75% to 100% of participants demonstrated “good” performance across all evaluated domains. Overall participant satisfaction with the course content and delivery was very high, with more than 85% rating it as “excellent.”
Conclusion: The POCUS training workshop structured according to established educational frameworks and integrating both theoretical and practical components, significantly enhanced residents’ knowledge, technical proficiency, and satisfaction. This program demonstrates strong potential as a replicable model for implementation in other pediatric academic medical centers. |
Article number: 1 |
| Keywords: Point-of-Care Ultrasound, Pediatric Emergency, Practical Skills, Educational Evaluation, Kern Model |
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Full-Text [PDF 1228 kb]
(28 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/02/8 | Accepted: 2026/03/24 | Published: 2026/06/25
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