Interview with Pilot 2 Team

Earlier this month, we sat down in Budapest with Christina Hafner and Josef Lintschinger from the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute to discuss the ongoing training initiatives under the DIGI4Care project. With the second round of ultrasound education taking place in Hungary - following a successful pilot in Austria - the team shared their insights, challenges, and a few memorable moments.

Expanding access to ultrasound in pre-hospital care

“The main goal,” Josef explained, “is to make ultrasound more accessible, especially in pre-hospital settings. Portable devices are becoming more available, but hands-on training remains a barrier.”

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the limitations of face-to-face education and inspired the team to explore alternatives. Enter tele-guidance: a hybrid approach combining online learning and remote supervision, designed to train emergency medical professionals in essential ultrasound techniques.

In Austria, the first phase of the pilot included highly skilled paramedics and acute community nurses. They completed a standardized e-learning course in English before attending in-person training in German. The same structure was followed in Hungary, with the hands-on sessions conducted in Hungarian to ensure participants felt comfortable and confident. The training was organized in collaboration with pilot implementation teams of DIGI4care and took place at the National Ambulance Service of Hungary, where 47 dedicated paramedics completed the trial.

Cross-border collaboration and practical challenges

While the structure was clear, the implementation wasn’t without hurdles. Christina noted, “There were some organizational difficulties - especially due to language differences - but overall, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.”

One notable challenge was related to equipment, namely the Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) device.  

To enhance the tele-guidance experience, the team added a second camera to capture hand positioning, allowing instructors to better guide participants remotely. “It worked even better than expected,” Josef added.

Tele-guidance: A tool for equity and flexibility

Both trainers emphasized the broader implications of tele-guided ultrasound training. “It’s not just about classrooms anymore,” said Christina. “You can provide real-time supervised learning even in emergency rooms, rural areas, or during crisis situations.”

Josef agreed: “All you need is a stable internet connection. With advanced technologies, training can happen virtually anywhere, even in conflict zones where access to expert guidance is limited.”

As ultrasound use in pre-hospital care expands, this model could be a game-changer. Participants completed an e-learning course and just one hour of practical instruction, yet were able to successfully perform EFAST scans. “It’s easy to learn,” Josef said, “but to do it well, you need expert input. That’s where tele-guidance truly shines.”

What comes next?

The training is currently in its second phase, with evaluation and implementation to follow. The team plans to publish their findings and explore accreditation pathways. “Our dream is to make this type of education widely available,” said Christina. “We want anyone interested in ultrasound - regardless of their location - to have access to high-quality training and expert guidance.” The pilot team of DIGI4Care is truly committed to pushing the boundaries of how and where medical professionals can learn.

A bladder full of laughter

No good training is complete without a memorable story. When asked about standout moments, Christina laughed: “We actually monitored our models' bladders throughout the day. After each break, we could see how full they were on the ultrasound—it became our unofficial timer for the next session!”

This mix of innovation, collaboration, and humor made training a true success. With committed partners and creative solutions, the future of pre-hospital ultrasound education looks brighter and more accessible than ever.

Below are some testimonials from trainees:

-        "The training was highly informative, supportive and useful."

-       " The training provided valuable and novel addition to the pre-existing knowledge."

-        "The device is comfortable, intuitive and easy to handle."

The acceptance of the POCUS technology is promising and a great step toward comprehensive, high-quality care – even outside of traditional clinical settings.

Written by Agnes Makai, Semmelweis HMTC, 29.05.2025.