A Short-Term Simulator Based FAST (Focused Abdominal Sonography in Trauma) Training for Pediatric Residents

Background: FAST (focused abdominal sonography in trauma) examination has been integrated into the primary assessment of the pediatric trauma patients in the ED.

Now days, most pediatric patients are evaluated and treated primarily at the PED by PEM physicians or pediatric residents. Thus, the ability to perform FAST is a required skill, although it is not included in the Pediatric residency curriculum.

The aim of this study is to assess the ability of pediatric residents to get competent at performing FAST following a short, simulation-based training program.

Methods: A total of 19 pediatric residents were enrolled in the study, all without any previous knowledge of performing FAST. The training program consisted of a lecture, hands-on training, a high-fidelity simulator training, and 5 tests performed independently during the following month. Competence was evaluated a month later by a simulator-based test.

Participants have also completed a questionnaire regarding the sense of confidence in performing FAST examinations.

Results: 56 of 57 tests performed were interpreted correctly (98.2%). The level of participants confidence in FAST performance was significantly increased following the training program

Conclusions: A short training program, simulatior based is sufficient for obtaining the required proficiency in performing and interpreting the FAST examination among pediatric residents.