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Brosseau R.1,2, Marchand C.1,2, Denault A.3,4,5, Champagne-Paradis S.1, Dion S.1, Bernard-Blanchard É.1, Bergeron V.1, Denis-Brisson R.1
1University of Montreal, Physiotherapy Program, School of Rehabilitation, Montreal, Canada, 2Montreal Heart Institute, Physiotherapy Department, Montreal, Canada, 3University of Montreal, Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, Montreal, Canada, 4Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Surgery, Intensive Care Unit, Montreal, Canada, 5Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Department of Medicine, Intensive Care Unit, Montreal, Canada
Background: The use of ultrasounds (US) by physical therapists is not a new concept in the musculoskeletal field. On the other hand, in chest physical therapy, this type of imaging is still seldom used whereas thoracic US enables to perform a quick, safe and dynamic assessment of the respiratory system. In the medical field, it will sometimes take precedence over pulmonary auscultation. Furthermore, there are many benefits compared to chest X-ray. Lack of standardized training limits both the use of lung US examination in chest physical therapy and the assessment of its efficiency.
Purpose: In order to optimize the use of thoracic US in chest physical therapy, a standardized training program was developed. The project was aimed at identifying the relevant content for chest physical therapy, educational methods, optimal ways to use the high-fidelity ultrasonography simulator for training purposes and determine appropriate methods of assessing the results achieved from the training.
Methods: Take a census of writings in the Databases: Medline, Pubmed, Google Scholar and PsycINFO. Practice with the US machine and the CAE Vimedix high-fidelity ultrasonography simulator.
Results: Training developed comprising an online course and practical sessions involving high-fidelity ultrasonography simulator and patients. The training is structured in units such as: the healthy lung, diaphragmatic dysfunction and main pulmonary and pleural diseases encountered in respiratory physiotherapy. Different scenarios have been designed regarding the practical sessions. Portfolios of images reviewed by an expert in addition to a standardized practical and theoretical evaluation are used to appraise the learning achieved.
Conclusion(s): This project will serve as a first step in order to integrate the use of thoracic US in chest physical therapy. Experimental studies are necessary in order to assess the efficiency of thoracic US training.
Implications: With the addition of well-trained physical therapists in the utilization of lung US examination, standardized experimental studies will be feasible in order to support its use, assess clinical practice and thus, measure the added-value of thoracic US in chest physical therapy.
Funding acknowledgements: This project was not supported.
Topic: Cardiorespiratory
Ethics approval: As a quality improvement project, it was not applicable.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
