Prehospital Emergency Medical ServicesNCT06950333
Ultrasound Applications for Emergency Medical Technicians in Taiwan
A study testing POCUS education curriculum in people with Prehospital Emergency Medical Services and Point-of-care Ultrasound, run by National Taiwan University Hospital.
Trial summary
The goal of this prospective observational study is to develop and assess the core ultrasound applications for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Taiwan. The study focuses on advanced emergency medical technicians (EMT-Ps) and their ability to perform point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in prehospital settings. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Prehospital Emergency Medical Services, Point-of-care Ultrasound
- What is being tested?
- POCUS education curriculum
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 200 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 31 Dec 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients presenting with one of the following conditions in the prehospital setting:
- Trauma Dyspnea (shortness of breath) Suspected stroke Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)
Who cannot join
- Patients with hemodynamic instability or critical conditions requiring immediate resuscitation, making them unsuitable for focused prehospital ultrasound performed by EMT-Ps.
- Patients under the age of 18.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: The Development and Assessment of the Core Ultrasound Applications for Emergency Medical Technicians in Taiwan
The goal of this prospective observational study is to develop and assess the core ultrasound applications for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Taiwan. The study focuses on advanced emergency medical technicians (EMT-Ps) and their ability to perform point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in prehospital settings.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
Can a standardized POCUS training program improve EMT-Ps' competency in ultrasound applications? What is the reliability and validity of the newly established POCUS assessment modules for EMT-Ps? Researchers will compare trained EMT-Ps' ultrasound proficiency and clinical decision-making before and after training to see if structured POCUS education enhances diagnostic accuracy and patient care in prehospital settings.
Participants will:
Attend a structured POCUS training program, including lectures and hands-on practice with standardized patients and simulation models.
Undergo competency assessments, including written exams, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and image interpretation tests.
Perform ultrasound scans on actual patients in prehospital settings, focusing on trauma, respiratory distress, stroke, and cardiac arrest cases.
Receive feedback and participate in follow-up assessments to evaluate knowledge retention and clinical application.
- Being tested
- POCUS education curriculum
- Keywords
- Prehospital ultrasound, emergency medical technicians, Education
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
POCUS education curriculumOther
The training includes a 4-hour curriculum consisting of a 1-hour didactic session covering ultrasound principles and key applications, followed by 3 hours of hands-on practice using standardized models or phantoms under instructor supervision. Core scanning topics include Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST), lung ultrasound for dyspnea, carotid Doppler for suspected stroke, and focused cardiac ultrasound for cardiac arrest. Post-training assessments include a written test and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| EMT who receive POCUS curriculum | Experimental | This arm includes certified advanced emergency medical technicians (EMT-P) who are enrolled in a structured point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education program developed specifically for prehospital providers in Taiwan. Participants receive a four-hour training module composed of didactic instruction and hands-on practice focused on trauma (FAST), dyspnea (lung ultrasound), suspected stroke (carotid Doppler), and cardiac arrest (focused cardiac ultrasound). Post-training assessments include written exams and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Participants will also complete follow-up assessments at six months and participate in supervised prehospital ultrasound scanning during real-world EMS missions. Receives: Other: POCUS education curriculum |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Ultrasound Image Quality Score for Target Structure Visualization
The score of ultrasound images assessing the visualization quality of target anatomical structures (e.g., blood vessels, Morrison's pouch, spleno-renal recess, cul-de-sac), evaluated using a standardized 10-point image quality rating scale (1 = Poor, 10 = Excellent). Each ultrasound image receives an overall score reflecting the adequacy of target structure visualization, as rated by trained reviewers.
Measured: From enrollment to one day after patient was sent to hospital
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Apr 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (4)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Prehospital Emergency Medical ServicesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by National Taiwan University HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan University Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06950333
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 202412164RINC
- Status last verified
- Mar 2025
- First submitted
- 13 Apr 2025
- Last updated
- 30 Apr 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Nations JA, Browning RF. Battlefield applications for handheld ultrasound. Ultrasound Q. 2011 Sep;27(3):171-6. doi: 10.1097/RUQ.0b013e31822b7c14.
PubMed 21873854Brun PM, Chenaitia H, Gonzva J, Bessereau J, Bobbia X, Peyrol M; WINFOCUS (World Interactive Network Focused On Critical UltraSound) Group France. The value of prehospital echocardiography in shock management. Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Feb;31(2):442.e5-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.05.021. Epub 2012 Aug 4. No abstract available.
PubMed 22867834Fitzgibbon JB, Lovallo E, Escajeda J, Radomski MA, Martin-Gill C. Feasibility of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Ultrasound by EMS Physicians. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2019 May-Jun;23(3):297-303. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2018.1518505. Epub 2018 Oct 17.
PubMed 30192687Mercer CB, Ball M, Cash RE, Rivard MK, Chrzan K, Panchal AR. Ultrasound Use in the Prehospital Setting for Trauma: A Systematic Review. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2021 Jul-Aug;25(4):566-582. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2020.1811815. Epub 2020 Sep 17.
PubMed 32815755
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Apr 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Development and Assessment of the Core Ultrasound Applications for Emergency Medical Technicians in Taiwan
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06950333
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 202412164RINC
- Keywords
- Prehospital ultrasound, emergency medical technicians, Education
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 200 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- National Taiwan University HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this prospective observational study is to develop and assess the core ultrasound applications for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Taiwan. The study focuses on advanced emergency medical technicians (EMT-Ps) and their ability to perform point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in prehospital settings.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Can a standardized POCUS training program improve EMT-Ps' competency in ultrasound applications? What is the reliability and validity of the newly established POCUS assessment modules for EMT-Ps? Researchers will compare trained EMT-Ps' ultrasound proficiency and clinical decision-making before and after training to see if structured POCUS education enhances diagnostic accuracy and patient care in prehospital settings.
Participants will:
Attend a structured POCUS training program, including lectures and hands-on practice with standardized patients and simulation models.
Undergo competency assessments, including written exams, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and image interpretation tests.
Perform ultrasound scans on actual patients in prehospital settings, focusing on trauma, respiratory distress, stroke, and cardiac arrest cases.
Receive feedback and participate in follow-up assessments to evaluate knowledge retention and clinical application.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| EMT who receive POCUS curriculum | Experimental | Other: POCUS education curriculumThis arm includes certified advanced emergency medical technicians (EMT-P) who are enrolled in a structured point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) education program developed specifically for prehospital providers in Taiwan. Participants receive a four-hour training module composed of didactic instruction and hands-on practice focused on trauma (FAST), dyspnea (lung ultrasound), suspected stroke (carotid Doppler), and cardiac arrest (focused cardiac ultrasound). Post-training assessments include written exams and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs). Participants will also complete follow-up assessments at six months and participate in supervised prehospital ultrasound scanning during real-world EMS missions. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients presenting with one of the following conditions in the prehospital setting:
- Trauma Dyspnea (shortness of breath) Suspected stroke Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Patients with hemodynamic instability or critical conditions requiring immediate resuscitation, making them unsuitable for focused prehospital ultrasound performed by EMT-Ps.
- Patients under the age of 18.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| POCUS education curriculumThe training includes a 4-hour curriculum consisting of a 1-hour didactic session covering ultrasound principles and key applications, followed by 3 hours of hands-on practice using standardized models or phantoms under instructor supervision. Core scanning topics include Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST), lung ultrasound for dyspnea, carotid Doppler for suspected stroke, and focused cardiac ultrasound for cardiac arrest. Post-training assessments include a written test and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). | Other | EMT who receive POCUS curriculum |
Primary outcome
Ultrasound Image Quality Score for Target Structure Visualization
Time frame: From enrollment to one day after patient was sent to hospital
The score of ultrasound images assessing the visualization quality of target anatomical structures (e.g., blood vessels, Morrison's pouch, spleno-renal recess, cul-de-sac), evaluated using a standardized 10-point image quality rating scale (1 = Poor, 10 = Excellent). Each ultrasound image receives an overall score reflecting the adequacy of target structure visualization, as rated by trained reviewers.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Apr 2025.
- Background: PubMed 21873854Nations JA, Browning RF. Battlefield applications for handheld ultrasound. Ultrasound Q. 2011 Sep;27(3):171-6. doi: 10.1097/RUQ.0b013e31822b7c14.
- Background: PubMed 22867834Brun PM, Chenaitia H, Gonzva J, Bessereau J, Bobbia X, Peyrol M; WINFOCUS (World Interactive Network Focused On Critical UltraSound) Group France. The value of prehospital echocardiography in shock management. Am J Emerg Med. 2013 Feb;31(2):442.e5-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2012.05.021. Epub 2012 Aug 4. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 30192687Fitzgibbon JB, Lovallo E, Escajeda J, Radomski MA, Martin-Gill C. Feasibility of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Ultrasound by EMS Physicians. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2019 May-Jun;23(3):297-303. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2018.1518505. Epub 2018 Oct 17.
- Background: PubMed 32815755Mercer CB, Ball M, Cash RE, Rivard MK, Chrzan K, Panchal AR. Ultrasound Use in the Prehospital Setting for Trauma: A Systematic Review. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2021 Jul-Aug;25(4):566-582. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2020.1811815. Epub 2020 Sep 17.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing POCUS education curriculum in people with Prehospital Emergency Medical Services and Point-of-care Ultrasound, run by National Taiwan University Hospital.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Apr 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Wan-Ching Lien, M.D., Ph.D. (+886-2-23123456 ext. 262831, dtemer17@yahoo.com.tw), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Ultrasound Image Quality Score for Target Structure Visualization (time frame: From enrollment to one day after patient was sent to hospital). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06950333, which also lists 4 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 30 Apr 2025.