SOFPOG PARTNERS RUTGERS MEDICAL UNIVERSITY AND THE GCPS FACULTY OF FAMILY MEDICINE TO ORGANISE A TWO-DAY POINT OF CARE ULTRASOUND COURSE
Rutgers Medical University, New Jersey, in collaboration with the Faculty of Family Medicine, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Society of Family Physicians of Ghana (SOFPOG), organized a two-day introductory course on Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS). The course took place from 23rd to 24th September 2024 at the Simulation Centre at the University of Ghana Medical Centre.
The 2024-25 POCUS course is designed to promote longitudinal learning and proficiency. It will be conducted in a hybrid format using a flipped classroom model, with both asynchronous and live (in-person and virtual) components, as well as hands-on practical sessions.
A total of 25 participants took part, consisting of 2 Senior Family Physicians, 1 Family Physician, 6 newly qualified Family Physicians, 5 Family Medicine residents, 7 Medical Officers, 3 House Officers, and 1 Sonographer, drawn from facilities across the country.
The two-day course aimed to help participants:
- Understand the basic physics and terminology of point-of-care ultrasound;
- Learn/review basic ultrasound scanning, including cardiac and lung scans;
- Develop an understanding of cardiac echocardiography (valves, right heart function);
- Learn basic techniques for using POCUS in nerve blocks for acute pain management;
- Apply standardized protocols for medical resuscitation of the coding patient.
Training Highlights:
- Dr. Felix Afriyie, Cardiology Fellow at Rutgers Medical University, led sessions on basic POCUS physics, terminology, and Cardiac POCUS.
- Dr. Enoch Obeng, Associate Professor at Stanford Medical University, instructed on pleural POCUS, the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST), and Rapid Ultrasound for Shock and Hypotension (RUSH).
- Dr. Jose, an anesthesiologist, covered nerve blocks, peripheral IV access, and identifying landmarks for central venous catheterization.
- Dr. Natasha Puri, Cardiology and Paediatric Fellow at Rutgers Medical University, provided additional support during the training.
Participants had hands-on experience with simulators over the two days and reported feeling relatively comfortable with the practical sessions.
Moving forward, participants will continue their training with live virtual sessions conducted by faculty 1- 2 times per month, starting from October 2024 through August 2025. These sessions will provide opportunities for learners to interact with faculty, ask questions related to assigned modules, and practice skills with virtual supervision. Additionally, learners will be able to upload scans to a secure portal for faculty review and feedback.
In attendance were Prof Mawuli Gyakobo, Faculty Chair, Family Medicine and Dr George Nketiah, President of SOFPOG
