Students' perceptions of F.A.S.T. imaging training in Malta.

Abstract

Purpose In November 2010, undergraduate radiography students attended a series of lectures about Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (F.A.S.T.). F.A.S.T. imaging is a quick and easy ultrasound technique which is useful in a trauma setting for the detection of free intra-abdominal fluid. These lectures consisted of 5 hours of theory and 4 hours of hands-on training giving an overview of the technique and its use. Research Objectives The objectives of this study were to evaluate the F.A.S.T. series of lectures mentioned above, through the students' feedback and to evaluate the students' opinion regarding the introduction of official F.A.S.T. imaging training in Malta. Methodology The objectives were achieved through a questionnaire sent to all participants, where a response rate of 81% was obtained. The completed questionnaires provided an indication of the students' perceptions about F.A.S.T. imaging training. Results and Conclusion All the students felt that F.A.S.T. imaging is an important technique and would be beneficial if used in practice in a trauma setting. A high number of participants showed their agreement that F.A.S.T. should be performed by radiographers. The majority of the students found the series of lectures very interesting. Furthermore they suggested that these could have been improved by increasing the number of practical sessions, including practice on patient volunteers, and by scheduling practice in smaller groups. The majority of the students also agreed that F.A.S.T. imaging should be introduced in the undergraduate radiography programme, while the others were of the opinion that it should be introduced at a postgraduate level. Also, the students showed willingness in participating in a refresher course of F.A.S.T. imaging in the future and learn more about this valuable technique.