Assessment of knowledge on ultrasound physical principles and its application for image acquisition and optimization among emergency medicine trainees in Sri Lanka

Introduction: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge on physical principles of ultrasound and its application for image acquisition and optimisation among emergency medicine trainees in Sri Lanka.Methods: A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 5 multiple choice questions and 10 single best response questions on ultrasound physical principles and their application in image acquisition and optimisation was distributed among 62 Pre-MD emergency medicine trainees. Knowledge scores were analysed with regards to prior experience and training in Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS).Results: Fifty out of 65 trainees participated in the study giving a response rate of 76.9%. All registrars used PoCUS in their day-to-day practice and utilized one or more applications. The predominantly utilized application was trauma scans (n=47, 94%), followed by cardiac (n=44, 88%) and procedural guidance (n=44, 88%). The majority of the registrars (n=33, 66%) obtained a score above 50% for physics, whereas for image acquisition and optimisation, a score above 50% was obtained by 21 registrars (42%). There was no association between knowledge and completion of a PoCUS course (physical principles p=0.937, image acquisition and optimisation p=0.471) or experience in PoCUS (physical principles p=0.253, image acquisition and optimisation p = 0.648). Conclusion and recommendations: In general, results of this study do not bode well on ongoing practice of PoCUS in Sri Lanka and indicates that the current PoCUS training is in urgent need of change and revision, with emphasis on the practical application.