Sound Sonography 2022

A course in point of care ultrasound for physicians working in resource limited settings. 

Following the success of the 2021 course, we are inviting applications for the Sound Sonography 2022 POCUS course hosted at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ho, Ghana. Developed and delivered by Worldwide Radiology expert volunteers and academics from the Ultrasound Department of The School of Health and Society of the University of Salford, UK.

Participants will be associate students at the University of Salford, which will host the educational platform.

Course Overview 

The course is aimed at those new to POCUS or with minimal experience. We will provide a range of knowledge and skills including principles of good practice, physics and equipment, E-FAST, FASH, chest, urinary tract, gallbladder, gynaecology, DVT, US guided vascular access, and obstetrics, with an introduction to US guided chest drainage. Full details of the learning objectives are available on request.

Teaching will be delivered by a team of expert sonographers, radiologists and physicians, both local and external to Ghana with a maximum hands-on teaching ratio of 1 instructor to 3 participants. Expert external speakers will contribute in ‘meet the expert sessions.’

Course duration: 6 months

Pre-course online learning, with mandatory online assessment of pre-course materials*

Part 1: 20th May – 1stJuly - 4 hours/week for 5 weeks

Part 2: Sept-Oct (date TBC) - 4 hours/week for 2 weeks

Hands-on training, with assessment of scanning skills and case presentation in Ho, Ghana

Part 1: 4th-11th July - 7 days full-time

Part 2: October date TBC - 7 days full-time

Remote post course supervision, with compulsory upload of clinical cases for supervisor review

11th July – 31 Dec 2022 - approximately 2 hours/week

Regular scanning in your clinical practice, at least 8 cases/week, is strongly advised to gain full benefit of the programme

Throughout the programme - Minimum 2-4 hours per week for minimum 3 months

*Progression to the next week of online teaching will be possible only after completing the weekly assessment. Candidates who are unable to complete the Part 1 online learning successfully will not be able to attend the rest of the course.

Delivery will depend on the COVID pandemic. Deadline for “go ahead” 1st May 2022.

Person Specification

All applicants should be medically qualified and have at least 2 years of clinical experience. Prioritisation will be given to doctors working in district hospitals. To support learning, 2 or more applicants from the same hospital are preferred. Applicants should have access to an ultrasound machine in their place of work. International applicants should be working in, or have upcoming plans in place to work in, a resource limited setting.

Due to the intensive nature of the practical training blocks participants are advised to schedule study time to attend the full 7-days of each block.

Course Fee

6000 cedis. This reduced course fee reflects sponsorship by Worldwide Radiology volunteers and donors. If accepted, payment is in 2 instalments: 2000 cedis by 31st March and 4000 cedis by 1st July latest. Please note that lunch will be provided, but accommodation is not included.

Application Deadline

Applications will close on 9 February 2022.

Course Leads

Dr Liz Joekes: Worldwide Radiology Director and Consultant Radiologist with special interest in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Liverpool University Hospitals, UK

Prof Yaw Asante Awuku: Head of Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana and Consultant Gastroenterologist, Ho Teaching Hospital

Contacts for further information: Worldwide Radiology, Dr Catriona Farrell: admin@worldwideradiology.org; Ghana: Dr Pascal Kangberee, course participant 2021: pascal_kangberee@yahoo.com.