A Basic Thoracic Ultrasound Education Module for Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Students

Nurse practitioners can maximize their scope of practice by utilizing ultrasound as a tool to effectively assess, interpret, diagnose, and perform specific procedures. Many clinical settings consider ultrasound use the standard of care for specific specialties making it important for nurse practitioners to have a basic understanding of ultrasound theory, image interpretation, and procedural techniques. A lack of consistent ultrasound education for nurse practitioners may leave them without basic ultrasound knowledge, so it would be beneficial for basic ultrasound to be taught early in nurse practitioner education in order to maximize their learning during their clinical rotations. This project was designed to improve nurse practitioner students understanding of ultrasound theory, assessment, technique and procedures through the use of a basic thoracic ultrasound education module. The objectives identified for this project were to improve Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) students knowledge of basic ultrasound theory, assessment, and procedural technique by developing an education module, conducting a pilot test using pre/post-test methodology to measure module effectiveness, and then disseminating the results of this project to a wider audience. Evaluated in the literature review was training techniques in formal education, specifically how multimedia and e-learning applies to modern education. Also examined in the literature review was specific content for the education module including basic ultrasound physics, ultrasound modes, proper use of the machine, certain ultrasound probes, thoracic ultrasound examinations and common thoracic procedures performed with the assistance of the ultrasound device. To implement the objectives of this project, a literature review was performed that examined how ultrasound is taught in pre and post graduate education, in what way multimedia and e-learning are used for effective adult education, basic physics, ultrasound machine, thoracic ultrasound examination and specific procedures for the beginning student. The module was written and approved by the project committee and clinical experts prior to being distributed to participants. The participation rate for the module was 9.6%, and a canvas web link was used to allow participants access to the module and the pre/post-test. The pretest mean was 46.3 (± 9.1), while the posttest mean was 40.0(±4.6) with no significant difference in the pre/post module (p=0.19). Participating students did report improved knowledge and believed ultrasound should be included in their graduate education. The Snowbird CME Conference was identified as a means to disseminate this information, and an abstract was submitted after project committee approval. Ultrasound is the standard of care for many specialties and in some cases used as a visual stethoscope during routine assessments. Proper ultrasound training can allow the nurse practitioner to provide better care to their patients and increase the potential of better clinical outcomes. More student participants are needed to determine the efficacy of the US module in a future study