Tele-Ultrasound Training for Point-of-Care Education

Traditionally, ultrasound skills have been taught through one-on-one, bedside instruction, which allows instructors to physically guide learners’ hand movements. While effective, this method often faces logistical challenges, including scheduling difficulties, instructor shortages, and high costs. To address these issues, a tele-education model for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training was developed and tested for effectiveness and workload impact in comparison to conventional education (CE) and self-directed learning (SL). In a randomized trial involving 27 ultrasound novices, participants underwent online lectures followed by hands-on training. The tele-education (TE) group used ultrasound equipment integrated with real-time video and audio streaming for remote instructor feedback. The CE group received in-person coaching, while the SL group had no instructor. Skill performance and perceived workload were evaluated using scenario-based tests and the NASA-TLX survey. Results showed that TE significantly outperformed SL in skill test scores (median 22 vs. 16, p = 0.01) and was comparable to CE (median 22 vs. 24, p = 0.56). Perceived workload differences among groups were not statistically significant (p = 0.05). These findings suggest that tele-education is as effective as conventional methods and more effective than self-directed learning without adding significant cognitive stress. The study highlights tele-education as a practical, cost-effective alternative for POCUS training, especially in overcoming geographic and resource limitations. With secure, HIPAA-compliant systems and online didactic modules, tele-education can expand access to ultrasound training, particularly in remote and underserved areas.