Neonatal performed echocardiography course: Can we face it?

Objective: To evaluate students' qualification after a six-month basic course of Neonatal Performed Echocardiography (NPEcho), adjusted by the motivational profile.

Study Design: Prospective cohort of 16 neonatologists/neonatal fellows who underwent the basic NPEcho course in 2019 (18 h face-to-face theoretical classes; 36 h hands-on training) and 12 in 2020 (18 h online theoretical classes; 36 h hands-on training). Students' qualification was defined as ≥70% in post-test, video test, and practical evaluation in neonates. Academic Motivation Scale was applied.

Results: Scores in 2019 vs. 2020 were: pre-test -32% vs. 40% (p = 0.029), final theoretical score -78% vs. 69% (p = 0.007), and practical evaluation -88% vs. 65% (p = 0.003), resulting in 68.8% in 2019 vs. 33.3% in 2020 qualified students. Students' motivational profile were similar in 2019 and 2020.

Conclusion: The NPEcho was successful in qualifying students with face-to-face theoretical classes, but the online format was inadequate to achieve the learning goals.