Through our project in Nablus, we will deliver point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training to Palestinian clinicians working in Rafidia Surgical Hospital. Many providers in the West Bank lack access to advanced imaging due to resource and equipment shortages. By training local physicians in POCUS, we aim to strengthen diagnostic capacity for trauma, obstetric emergencies, and critical care—areas of high need given the burden of injury and limited referral options. This project will not only provide equipment and structured training but will also build sustainable local expertise through mentorship and continuing education. Ultimately, it will improve patient outcomes by enabling faster, more accurate bedside diagnosis in settings where delays in imaging can be life-threatening.
This will be our first in-person cohort after having administered a four week foundational course. This in-person class will provide real time learning opportunities for hands-on learning. It will also allow us to identify motivated learners who can then serve as on-the-ground experts in the future to administer the course locally.
This project directly serves two groups: the Palestinian clinicians working at Rafidia Surgical Hospital, and the thousands of patients they care for each year. Clinicians in Nablus face tremendous challenges—limited access to medical resources, frequent shortages of diagnostic tools, and the constant strain of working in a health system under occupation. Providing them with new diagnostic skills and tools will enhance their ability to deliver high-quality care under difficult circumstances.
Indirectly, the primary beneficiaries are the patients of the northern West Bank, many of whom live in areas with limited access to specialized facilities. For them, the difference between having a clinician trained in ultrasound and not can be the difference between a timely life-saving intervention and a delayed or missed diagnosis. This population is uniquely vulnerable because systemic inequities and movement restrictions limit their options for referral. They are also exposed to high levels of violence secondary to conflict; and this is especially true in Nablus, where Rafidia is located. A recent study found that Nablus has the highest rates of traumatic injury and death secondary to conflict (Aly et al). Thus, strengthening local capacity is an effective way to improve equity in healthcare access.
Aly S, Mossolem F, Khalil A, Surapaneni T, Traboulsi AA, Aldadah W, Reid E, Hajat S. Occupation, displacement, and violence in the West Bank: A retrospective analysis of data from 2014-2024. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2025 Jun 25;5(6):e0004829. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004829. PMID: 40561106; PMCID: PMC12193732.
There are numerous expected impacts. In the immediate term, clinicians at Rafidia will acquire skills that allow them to more rapidly and accurately assess trauma patients, evaluate obstetric complications, and manage critically ill patients thereby improving the quality of care for patients in Nablus. This will ultimately help to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality.
In the longer term, we aim to create a ripple effect by equipping local clinicians with not only the clinical skills, but also the teaching framework to continue training their peers. By fostering local champions and embedding ultrasound into routine workflows, the project will leave behind a durable infrastructure for ongoing knowledge transfer and practice improvement.
The learnings from this project will also be shared more broadly. By documenting both successes and challenges, we can contribute to the growing body of evidence on how to effectively implement ultrasound programs in resource-limited and conflict-affected settings. At the close of the one year course, we plan to disseminate our findings through academic publications, conference presentations, and collaboration with global emergency medicine networks.
The trip directly impacted emergency medicine, surgery, and anesthesia attendings and residents at Rafidia Surgical Hospital in Nablus, the largest government-run surgical hospital in the northern West Bank. Through our Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training program, we worked with a cohort of 25 trainees and faculty to strengthen diagnostic capacity in trauma, critical care, and procedural guidance.
Indirectly, the trip benefited future patients by improving clinicians’ ability to rapidly diagnose life-threatening conditions such as internal bleeding, pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade, guide management for shock by doing a RUSH exam, or perform procedures safely under ultrasound guidance. Beyond technical training, the project fostered a culture of peer mentorship and knowledge sharing, with senior residents now leading ongoing bedside teaching and local ultrasound quality review sessions.
The trip also strengthened professional networks among Palestinian, U.S., and regional educators, empowering local clinicians to take ownership of future POCUS education.
