COE Kenya, in collaboration with the Kenya Society for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (KESUMB), recently conducted a highly successful vascular ultrasound workshop. Sponsored by Mindray and Crown Healthcare Nairobi, the workshop was led by Dr. Naman Bagdi, a vascular interventional radiologist practicing in Pune, India, with over 10 years of experience in vascular imaging.
Held in a hybrid format, the workshop successfully combined virtual learning and hands-on practice to provide an enriched educational experience for participants. It was structured with three webinars conducted a week prior to the hands-on sessions, followed by an intensive three-day in-person training. WhatsApp groups were created for both the virtual sessions and the hands-on sessions. Participants were encouraged to start sending in questions early, which were addressed during the sessions.
Virtual Webinars
The virtual component consisted of three webinars, each one hour long, held from November 18 to 20, 2024. These sessions covered foundational topics essential for effective hands-on practice:
- Day 1: Venous Doppler Lower Limb Anatomy and Image Optimization
- Day 2: Arterial Lower Limb Doppler Anatomy and Image Optimization
- Day 3: Upper Limb Arterial and Venous Doppler Anatomy and Image Optimization, basics of AV Fistula assessment
The webinars were well-received, attracting 84 attendees, who actively participated and engaged in discussions to build a strong theoretical understanding. Some participants were motivated to scan their patients using the knowledge gained from the webinars and shared images on the WhatsApp group. These images were discussed during the sessions, further enhancing the learning experience.
Hands-On Workshop
The in-person hands-on training was conducted from November 25 to 27, 2024, with each day dedicated to specific topics:
- Day 1: Arterial Doppler and Pathologies
- Day 2: Venous Doppler Pathologies and Varicose Veins
- Day 3: Upper Limb Doppler and AV Fistula
Initially planned for 40 participants, the hands-on sessions accommodated 60 attendees, demonstrating the high demand and interest in the workshop. The training leveraged a collaborative effort with the Lions Diabetes Foot and Wound Clinic and Aga Khan nephrologists to ensure ample patients for real-case practice. Participants were also encouraged to bring their own patients, which added diversity to the clinical cases studied.
Each day began with a quiz to assess knowledge retention from the webinars, followed by a discussion and a lecture. The trainer demonstrated techniques before participants practiced under expert supervision for the remainder of the day. This interactive structure allowed participants to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical setting and gain valuable insights.
Key Highlights
- The hybrid model enabled flexible learning while ensuring hands-on experience.
- Collaboration with local clinics and specialists enriched the clinical exposure.
- Active participation from students, including bringing their own patients, enhanced the learning experience.
- Participants utilized webinar knowledge to perform scans on their patients, shared images on the WhatsApp group, and received feedback during the sessions.
- High participant retention and engagement across both virtual and in-person components.
The vascular ultrasound workshop achieved its objective of equipping participants with the skills and knowledge required for effective vascular ultrasound practice. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of combining webinars with hands-on training. COE Kenya and KESUMB aim to identify participants with the potential to be nurtured as trainers from this cohort and plan to make this workshop a recurring annual event.
