Barriers and Enablers in Accessing Neonatal Point of Care Ultrasound Training in Australia and New Zealand: A Survey of Neonatal Clinicians

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AIM: The Australian and New Zealand model for neonatal point of care ultrasound (POCUS) training was developed in 2009 and is the first of such certification available internationally. Despite this, there has only been a modest increase in the number of certified POCUS clinicians in the last 10 years. Little is known about the accessibility to training. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a binational survey of the neonatal clinicians. METHODS: An online questionnaire was distributed through the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN) mailing list in May 2024. The network consists of all 32 NICUs in Australia and New Zealand, and the distribution list includes neonatologists and trainees registered with the network. RESULTS: A total of 132/283 (47%) responses were received. Sixty-seven percent were from neonatologists, and the remainder were trainees. 33% had completed POCUS training, 23% were enrolled, 17% did not complete training and 27% were not enrolled. Forty-three percent worked in a NICU where POCUS service was available 24/7, and the rest were available ad hoc (43%), or during business hours only (12%); 2% worked in a NICU with no POCUS service. The main barriers include a lack of protected teaching time (73%), POCUS supervisors (52%) and a formal curriculum (40%). Seventy-two percent felt POCUS training should be included in the neonatal specialist training curriculum. CONCLUSION: Neonatal clinicians recognise the importance of POCUS training and its benefits for patient care. However, there are significant barriers limiting access to training. The results of this survey may help inform curriculum design and educational strategies that can lead to wider implementation of training and integration of POCUS into clinical care.

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