Assessment of Paramedic Ultrasound Curricula: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: Prehospital ultrasound is being applied in the field. The purpose of this systematic review is to describe evidence pertaining to ultrasound curricula for paramedics specifically, including content, duration, setting, design, evaluation, and application.

Methods: Electronic searches of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trials were conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Primary literature describing acute care ultrasound curricula for paramedics were included. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed quality using 2 validated tools.

Results: Twelve studies with 187 paramedics were included. Curricula duration varied, with effective curricula teaching focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) in 6 to 8 hours and pleural ultrasound in 25 minutes. FAST, pleural, and fracture-detection ultrasound are being applied in the field by paramedics; however, no literature exists describing application to detect cardiac standstill. Curricula combined didactic and hands-on components including simulation and evaluated competency using sensitivity and specificity of paramedic-performed ultrasound.

Conclusions: Paramedic ultrasound curricula in FAST and pleural ultrasound is feasible and time effective with successful application. Although fracture detection ultrasound is being used by the special operations forces, no comprehensive curriculum was described. Curricula designed to detect cardiac standstill have been too short, and successful application by paramedics has not been shown.