Training Frontline Providers in Basic Obstetric Ultrasound to Promote Healthy Pregnancy in Zimbabwe: Trainer and Trainee Experiences from a Qualitative Phenomenological Study.

backgroundLimited access to trained providers remains a barrier to basic obstetric ultrasound use in low-resource antenatal care settings. This study aimed to explore trainer and trainee experiences of Zimbabwe's six-week Basic Obstetric Ultrasound Short Course (BOUSC) and its perceived relevance to promoting healthy pregnancy through antenatal risk recognition and referral readiness.

methodsA qualitative study using transcendental phenomenology was conducted in the Fetal Medicine Units of Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were conducted between September and October 2023 with eight trainers and eight trainees purposively selected from course records. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Moustakas' approach, including bracketing, horizontalisation, clustering of significant statements, and theme synthesis.

resultsThematic saturation was achieved. Four themes emerged: interactive and clinically situated teaching; confidence and basic skill development through supervised scanning; interprofessional learning that reduced hierarchy; and sustainability concerns related to equipment, mentorship, refresher training, and post-training practice. The most salient finding was that midwives trained as advanced obstetric sonographers were perceived as credible trainers for doctors and other cadres when operating within a supervised fetal medicine governance structure.

conclusionsParticipants perceived the BOUSC as a practical and collaborative training model for basic obstetric ultrasound. The study does not demonstrate clinical outcome effects, but suggests that supervised basic ultrasound training may help promote healthy pregnancy when embedded within clear competency limits, quality assurance, and referral pathways.