Evaluating the use of ultrasound as a tool for teaching anatomy

Abstract

With improved image resolution, increased portability and cheaper units, ultrasound is starting to be used by medical schools as a tool for teaching anatomy. In contrast to traditional teaching methods, ultrasound allows students to observe “living” anatomy, and more importantly it provides both a functional and clinical approach to learning anatomy. At Brighton and Sussex Medical School, ultrasound has been integrated into the medical degree programme. To determine the usefulness of ultrasound for teaching anatomy, year one students (n = 103) completed an evaluation questionnaire. Responses were scored on a five point scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree). Following term one, 93.2% of first year students strongly agreed/agreed that understanding anatomy through ultrasound is very relevant to clinical practice. 86.4% of students also strongly agreed/agreed that understanding anatomy through ultrasound helps to comprehend the three‐dimensional nature of the human body and 79.6% strongly agreed/agreed that using ultrasound has helped understand surface anatomy. It is evident that ultrasound has a place in the modern medical curriculum and provides the students with a useful, hands‐on, tool for learning anatomy. It forms part of a multi‐modal learning experience that encompasses cadaveric dissection, lectures, living anatomy tutorials and imaging sessions. Ultrasound undoubtedly improves the confidence of students in their anatomical knowledge as well as primes students for clinical practice.