Evaluating a Muscle Ultrasound Education Program: Theoretical Knowledge, Hands-on Skills, Reliability, and Satisfaction of Critical Care Physiotherapists

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate learning results of critical care physiotherapists participating in a muscle ultrasound (MUS) educational program. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: A custom-made 20-hour MUS course was performed over a 2-week time period, including knobs familiarization, patient positioning, anatomic landmarks, image acquisition, and limb muscle measurements. Participants: Nineteen critical care physiotherapists with little to no prior experience in ultrasound (N=19). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Theoretical knowledge, hands-on skills acquisition, and satisfaction were assessed. Inter- and intrarater reliability on landmarks, thickness, and pennation ang..