A Team‐Based Ultrasound Examination: Assessing Ultrasound Knowledge and Non‐Traditional Discipline‐Independent Skills During Practical Examination in the First‐Year Medical Anatomy Course

Abstract

In recent years, the use of point of care ultrasound (POCUS) in clinical practice has increased substantially (1). Many medical schools have introduced ultrasound skills training into their curriculum which starts early in anatomy courses (2). Few, if any, of these programs assess students’ ultrasound knowledge and skills in a simulated clinical team environment. Anatomy Ultrasound Objective Structural Practical Examination (OSPE) implemented as a part of practical examination provides such an opportunity to asses both traditional and non‐traditional discipline‐independent skills, competencies and attributes. As part of the seven‐week anatomy course at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, first‐year medical students attended four ultrasound sessions. Each session included a short didactic module followed by hands‐on practice guided by near‐peer teachers. For the final examination, four‐member student teams were required to work collaboratively to perform four different scans during which students interacted with multiple standardized patients and rotated responsibility for obtaining an image, orienting the image, and identifying assigned structures. Students were graded using a rubric and received a team‐score based on tasks associated with individual roles of team members. In addition to ultrasound skills, the nature of their professional interactions with patient, communication skills, and situational awareness were assessed. The average team score was 96%. The students completed a survey at the conclusion of the anatomy course in which they rated the OSPE experience very positively. Team‐based OSPE examination was a clinically relevant and effective mechanism to simultaneously evaluate anatomic knowledge, clinical skills, and non‐traditional discipline‐independent skills that were emphasized during the anatomy course.Support or Funding Information