Assessing Physician Assistant Students' Ability to Accurately Identify the Regional Landmarks of the Fascia Iliaca Compartment With Point of Care Ultrasound After a Brief Training Session.

INTRODUCTION

Regional anesthesia, specifically fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FICB), is highly effective in managing pain, especially in military settings. However, a significant barrier to its implementation is the lack of provider confidence in performing ultrasound-guided procedures. This study evaluates the ability of physician assistant (PA) students, who are often first-line providers in austere locations, to identify the fascia iliaca compartment (FIC) using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) after a brief training session and assesses their retention of this skill over a 60- to 90-day period.

METHODS

We conducted this prospective observational study involving 10 PA students at an Air Force hospital. Participants underwent a brief training course on FIC identification using POCUS. Their ability to identify 4 anatomical landmarks (fascia iliaca, fascia lata, iliopsoas muscle, and femoral artery) was assessed immediately post-training and again after 60 to 90 days.

RESULTS

Initially, participants demonstrated a high success rate in identifying the FIC, with 47 out of 60 attempts (78%) correctly identified. However, follow-up evaluations showed a significant decline, with only 7 out of 54 attempts (13%) correctly identified after 60 to 90 days (P < .001). Identification rates for specific landmarks also declined significantly, except for the femoral artery, which remained the most accurately identified landmark.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that PA students can accurately identify the FIC using POCUS after a brief training session. However, there was a significant decline in skill retention over a 60- to 90-day period, underscoring the need for continuous education and practice to sustain proficiency. Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse settings is needed to develop effective training protocols and ensure long-term retention of U.S.-guided procedural skills.