Disclosures: Ya-Ting Chen, MD:

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions have necessitated changes in resident musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) training that was previously conducted in in-person, large-group workshops. We evaluated the impact of using virtual teaching and resident-led small groups on residents’ confidence and knowledge retention in performing MSKUS.

Design: Prospective cohort study.Setting : An urban academic medical center.Participants : 21 resident physicians in one physical medicine & rehabilitation residency program.

Interventions: Residents completed four 3-hour ultrasound workshops. 10 residents received in-person MSKUS demonstration by a sports medicine attending while 11 residents received virtual demonstration over Zoom for two workshops and in-person demonstration for two workshops. After each demonstration, six senior residents provided in-person teaching in small groups of 2-3 residents.

Main Outcome Measures: 5-point Likert scales defining (1) confidence with performing MSKUS of each joint and (2) perceived educational impact from the pandemic. Knowledge retention of MSKUS of the wrist and ankle was assessed with a 12-question quiz taken before, within 2 weeks after, and over 2 months after each workshop.

Results: Residents reported an overall increase in confidence with MSKUS scanning after all virtual and in-person workshops. This increase was statistically significant for one of two virtual workshops, focused on wrist/hand scanning (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the degree of confidence increase between virtual and in-person teaching groups after each workshop. 60% of the virtual teaching group reported that the Zoom app was a moderately-to-highly effective platform for MSKUS teaching. 67% stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected their MSKUS education in a negative way.Conclusions: During this challenging time, it is feasible to teach MSKUS through a virtual platform and resident-led small groups. This format can lead to significant improvement in confidence with MSKUS scanning. Knowledge retention data collection is currently in process and will be analyzed by time of poster presentation.

Level of Evidence: Level II

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-of-virtual-and-resident-led-small-group-teaching-in-an-updated-musculoskeletal-ultrasound-curriculum-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/