Michael J. Hartman Standardized Competence Testing in Sonography Education

CAAHEP Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) primary postsecondary, programmatic accreditation organization for diagnostic medical sonography programs in the United States the largest in the field of health sciences 2000 programs in 23 professions 196 accredited DMS programs 36 accredited CVT programs

CAAHEP Standards and Guidelines (revised every 3-5 years) Ultimately accredits (5-10 period) Reviews Program Goals/Outcomes Faculty Curriculum Design/Content

Joint Review Committees JRCDMS JRCCVT Majority of the work Application Self-Study Site Visit Prelim Report of findings Annual Report submitted by Program

Curriculum Design Most Educational Programs in Medicine 1. Didactic learning – A&P, Pathology, Pathophysiology 2. Laboratory practice – hands-on skill, limited stress/pressure 3. Clinical experience – real life experience under supervision Accreditation requires integration.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography In most radiologic examinations, the image acquisition is done by prescribed protocols, straightforward and “easy.” The analysis of the obtained images and their interpretation is the challenge. In sonography, the image acquisition is complex and operator dependent, and it becomes the diagnostic process. The subsequent reading confirms the completeness of the examination and validates the diagnosis but generally cannot go beyond the provided images. Thus, in large measure, the one who holds the transducer makes the diagnosis (Finberg, 2004).(Finberg, 2004)

Radiography vs Sonography

Sonography: Standardized Competency Need to standardize and evaluate student’s Scanning skills Image analysis Critical thinking skills vital Exam changes based upon findings

Image Analysis

Scanning Skill

Hands-on Skill Testing Historically on Credentialing National Board Exam Time intensive Extremely subjective Person to person Place to place Inconsistent

Current and Future Potential MedSim’s UltraSim Training Simulator

Blue Phantom Ultrasound Training Model

Computers and Technology Efficient and Effective More objective/consistent information Person to person Place to place Good for: Students Faculty/Lab instructors Employers Profession

Proposed Competency Policy CAAHEP could implement this type of objectives-based, standardized evaluation requirement policy consistent across all accredited programs. Useful for practice and training and competence evaluation Could be re-incorporated into the credentialing exam