Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41351169›Full record

Observational studyBMC medical education2025

Early acquisition of E-FAST ultrasound skills in medical students: an observational study comparing portable and conventional devices.

B Alcázar-Navarrete, A Romero-Linares, J De la Torre Navas, A Gallardo Marchal, S Clares Mena, M A Enamorado Varela, M Colmenero Ruiz, I Navarro Pelayo, S López-Fernández, C Heredia Carrasco and 1 more

Abstract readObservational StudyComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC medical education, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

B Alcázar-NavarreteMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain. balcazar@ugr.es.
A Romero-LinaresMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
J De la Torre NavasMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
A Gallardo MarchalMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
S Clares MenaMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
M A Enamorado VarelaMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
M Colmenero RuizMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
I Navarro PelayoMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
S López-FernándezMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
C Heredia CarrascoMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.
P J Romero PalaciosMedicine Department, University of Granada, Instituto biosanitario de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), Granada, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe E-FAST (Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) protocol is an essential diagnostic tool in emergency medicine. Its structured format and diagnostic relevance make it ideal for early clinical training. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of teaching E-FAST ultrasound skills to medical students starting in their second academic year and to compare the educational effectiveness of portable versus conventional ultrasound devices.

methodsA structured mixed-learning program was implemented across four academic years at the University of Granada. Students participated in online modules and hands-on workshops supervised by experienced clinicians. Performance was evaluated across five E-FAST windows, assessing probe selection, image acquisition, and anatomical identification. Comparative analysis examined outcomes by year and device type.

resultsOf 317 participants, even second-year students achieved elevated levels of competency in probe handling, image acquisition, and structure recognition. Conventional ultrasound systems were significantly more effective than portable devices in producing interpretable images and aiding anatomical identification (p < 0.001).

conclusionsE-FAST training is feasible from the early years of medical education. Conventional systems remain superior for instructional purposes despite the convenience of portable devices.

Indexed as

Clinical CompetenceComputer-Assisted InstructionEducation, Medical, UndergraduateEmergency MedicineFocused Assessment with Sonography for TraumaEducational MeasurementFeasibility StudiesFemaleHumansMaleSpainStudents, MedicalUltrasonographyE-FASTMedical educationMedical trainingPOCUS

Identifiers

PMID41351169
PMCPMC12798051

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.