Abstract
PurposeMedical students must understand the principles of ultrasonography (US), because US examinations are an important component of patient care in clinical practice. Pocket-sized ultrasound devices have the benefits of accessibility and ease of use. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the educational value of these devices in terms of improving medical student interest and understanding of US and sonographic anatomy.MethodsWe added a US training program comprised of a self-study learning module and a hands-on training session to a two-week block curriculum of medical imaging for first year medical students (n = 40). Multiple pocket-sized US devices were used on a small-group basis during a single afternoon. Students were asked to complete a questionnaire before and after the US training session; these two questionnaires contained 6 and 10 questions, respectively, which were rated by students using a five-point Likert scale. In addition, understanding of sonographic anatomy was tested before and after the training program.ResultsForty students completed the two questionnaires and the anatomy-related tests. Students found the program educationally valuable (4.37 ± 0.54 of 5) and reported that US practice was useful for improving their understanding of the principles of US examinations (4.23 ± 0.66 of 5) and sonographic anatomy (4.40 ± 0.55 of 5). Overall confidence at performing US examinations and understanding of sonographic anatomy were significantly increased after US training (increased overall confidence score, 1.87 ± 0.91 and improvement in sonographic anatomy score, 6.55 ± 1.55, p values < 0.001).ConclusionUS training using pocket-sized ultrasound devices was found to be educationally valuable for medical students in terms of improving understanding of US principles and familiarizing students with sonographic anatomy.
Highlights
Students found the program educationally valuable (4.37 ± 0.54 of 5) and reported that US practice was useful for improving their understanding of the principles of US examinations (4.23 ± 0.66 of 5) and sonographic anatomy (4.40 ± 0.55 of 5)
Overall confidence at performing US examinations and understanding of sonographic anatomy were significantly increased after US training
US training using pocket-sized ultrasound devices was found to be educationally valuable for medical students in terms of improving understanding of US principles and familiarizing students with sonographic anatomy
Summary
Ultrasound (US) is a safe and non-invasive imaging modality that is commonly used in health care, and familiarity with this modality is important for medical students in terms of future clinical practice. Bedside US performed using a portable device plays a critical role in point-of-care because it provides important information on, for example, volume status and the presence of fluid collection or pneumothorax, which greatly affect treatment [1]. Given increasing recognition of the value and availability of US, US training for undergraduate medical students is progressively being implemented in medical schools. Recently developed portable, pocket-sized US devices have obvious benefits for the education of medical students because of their portability and ease of use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the educational value of a pocket-sized US device in terms of familiarizing medical students with the US technique and sonographic anatomy
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