• Hussein D Kanji, Jessica L McCallum, Kapil M Bhagirath, and Andrew S Neitzel.
• 1Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Fraser Health Region, New Westminster, BC, Canada. 3Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 4Department of Cardiology, Fraser Health Region, New Westminster, BC, Canada. 5Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Crit. Care Med. 2016 Aug 1; 44 (8): e742-50.

ObjectiveThe application of ultrasound to assess a patient's cardiac function and volume status is becoming commonplace in the practice of critical care. These skills have been taught through varying curricula; however, no consensus on the optimal curriculum has been established. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the literature regarding critical care ultrasound curriculum development and evaluation.Data SourcesStudies were identified using MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials, and ERIC according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines through June 2014.Study SelectionIncluded studies were limited to those that described adult (age, > 16 yr) cardiac or hemodynamic critical care ultrasound curricula for physicians. Two reviewers independently screened studies based on predetermined exclusion criteria, and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer.Data ExtractionData were abstracted, and quality was assessed by two reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data abstracted from the studies included the learner population, examination type, duration, composition, and setting of the curriculum, means of evaluation, and outcomes.Data SynthesisThe search yielded 654 studies; of which, 15 met inclusion criteria. All curricula used a combination of didactic and hands-on components. The highest agreement between novice and experts, coupled with the most time-efficient application, was achieved when the study was limited to a basic qualitative approach for the assessment of global function or contractility and assessment of inferior vena cava collapsibility. The mode of delivery seemed most efficient when a hybrid method was used, including online instruction. Minimum scanning competency may be achieved with 30 scans although more rigorous study on this element is necessary.ConclusionsAssessment of cardiac function and volume assessment is becoming an essential skill in critical care medicine. Physicians can be taught bedside echocardiography in a time-effective manner with positive benefit to patients by applying a concise curriculum with limited content.

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