As ultrasound technology continues to advance, its integration into undergraduate medical education (UME) has become increasingly essential. One of the cornerstone applications of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in this setting is the Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (eFAST). This critical diagnostic tool is often taught during emergency medicine clerkships to equip students with the ability to assess trauma patients swiftly. However, a recent study has highlighted specific areas of difficulty in eFAST training, providing valuable insights for educators striving to optimize their curricula.
The eFAST protocol plays a pivotal role in trauma care, allowing rapid identification of life-threatening conditions such as internal bleeding or pneumothorax. Its utility in clinical decision-making has made it a staple in both postgraduate and undergraduate medical education. By incorporating eFAST training into their programs, medical schools help students develop practical skills that are directly applicable to real-world emergency scenarios. However, effective training is key to ensuring students can perform the protocol with both accuracy and confidence.
A recent observational study evaluated the performance of 90 final-year medical students following standardized eFAST training. While students excelled in detecting certain conditions like pneumothorax and pericardial fluid, significant gaps were noted in the assessment of intraperitoneal fluid, particularly in the hepatorenal, splenorenal, and pelvic spaces. These deficiencies often stemmed from a lack of proper fanning—a technique essential for thorough scanning.
The study also revealed inconsistencies in reporting findings. Accurate documentation is a crucial component of the eFAST protocol, and missed reporting steps can lead to incomplete evaluations and potentially adverse patient outcomes. These findings emphasize the need for training programs to focus on both technical skills, like transducer manipulation, and non-technical skills, such as structured reporting.
The study’s findings provide actionable insights for educators seeking to enhance eFAST training in UME. Emphasizing the importance of fanning during scanning can improve the completeness of assessments, particularly in challenging areas like the hepatorenal and splenorenal spaces. Additionally, integrating structured exercises for reporting findings ensures that students are prepared to document their results comprehensively in clinical practice.
Repetition and practice are key to mastering the nuances of eFAST. Training programs should offer frequent, hands-on opportunities for students to refine their skills, whether through simulation, supervised practice, or clinical rotations. Realistic training environments that replicate the challenges of trauma care can also help bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application.
By addressing the challenges highlighted in this study, medical educators can ensure that their students are well-prepared to perform eFAST assessments with accuracy and confidence. Developing proficiency in this essential POCUS application not only benefits students during their training but also translates into improved patient care in their future clinical practice.
The path to mastering eFAST requires a combination of robust training programs, hands-on practice, and continual feedback. SonoSim's eFAST training helps educators address these needs. Through the SonoSimulator®, learners get access to scanning cases from real patients, applied to virtual body models. The platform provides the ability to practice scanning techniques like fanning, rocking & rotating to acquire the optimal image in a low-risk, simulated environment. Also, SonoSim’s expert-guided instruction ensures students build competence in both image acquisition and interpretation, while its structured training pathways reinforce critical skills like reporting. By incorporating SonoSim’s eFAST training into curricula, educators can empower their students to master this vital POCUS application.