Feasibility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training and Remote Quality Assurance for Community Physicians in Conflict-Affected Syria
Feasibility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training and Remote Quality Assurance for Community Physicians in Conflict-Affected Syria
Background: POCUS can extend diagnostic capabilities where conventional imaging is unavailable, yet evidence on its implementation in active conflict zones remains scarce. We describe the feasibility of a POCUS training, device deployment, and remote quality assurance program for community physicians working in village clinics in Syria.
Methods: Nine physicians from five community clinics participated in a two-day in-person POCUS training course adapted to a conflict-affected, resource-constrained setting. The curriculum focused on cardiac, lung, FAST, and soft-tissue applications. At course completion, each clinic received a handheld Butterfly ultrasound device. Participants subsequently uploaded examinations to a cloud-based platform for remote expert review and feedback. Outcomes included immediate post-course satisfaction, perceived confidence, and early post-course POCUS use over follow-up.
Inclusion Criteria:Nine physicians from five community clinics serving villages in a region of Syria that cannot be further specified for security reasons participated in the program. Participants represented several medical specialties and were selected in collaboration with IFA based on their involvement in frontline community care and their anticipated ability to integrate POCUS into clinical practice.
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Exclusion Criteria:None
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