In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many in-person educational opportunities have been canceled or postponed. However, health care providers still need to maintain their professional knowledge and pursuit of life-long learning. This has resulted in innovative thinking with activities that are moving from on-site to a virtual format. In a virtual approach, it is important to consider the aspects of a live, on-site activity that must remain accessible in an online platform. One of the keys to a virtual conference is to allow for interaction with and discussion between everyone involved.
The emergency medicine ultrasound workshop planning committee has been working hard to transform the September 19 activity into a unique online experience that will allow learners from across the country to participate. This conference is designed to give the practicing emergency provider current information and training to improve image acquisition and interpretation of point-of-care ultrasound.
In addition to lecture and panel discussion components, facilitators will demonstrate live ultrasound scanning, which will be visible on the learners’ computer screen. Although hands-on practice sessions cannot be conducted, learners will have an up-close view of the images and will take away valuable pearls to improve their point-of-care ultrasound skills.
The re-envisioned workshop focuses on musculoskeletal ultrasound and will feature:
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound basics and nerve blocks
- Joint visualization, tendinopathies and injections
- Ultrasound program development and administration
The workshop was first developed years ago by Clint Hawthorne, M.D., FACEP, medical director of the emergency department at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines. “Although we cannot meet in-person this year, it is important to continue the momentum and share knowledge with our peers,” he said. “We have worked very hard to maintain the high-quality reputation of the workshop and provide a valuable educational experience in light of the restrictions that we all face today.”
The planning committee members and speakers include some of the most-recognized names in the emergency medicine community:
- Tom Benzoni, D.O., EM, AOBEM, FACEP, emergency department staff physician, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, and assistant professor of family medicine, Des Moines University
- Kevin Carnevale, M.D., academic pathologist, Microbiology and Immunology, Des Moines University
- Chase Deobald, D.O., medical director, emergency department, UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center
- Clint Hawthorne, M.D., FACEP, medical director, emergency department, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
- Karin Howe, D.O., emergency medicine, MercyOne Des Moines
- Nick Kluesner, M.D., associate medical director, emergency department, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
- Todd Sexton, D.O., emergency medicine, UnityPoint Health – Des Moines
- Casey Woster, M.D., RDMS, Regions Hospital emergency department; residency senior faculty physician; and assistant professor of emergency medicine, University of Minnesota
Visit the workshop website for the full agenda and to register. All interested health care providers are invited to attend.
If you have questions about the virtual workshop, please email cme@dmu.edu or call 515-271-1596 for more information.
