Necessary Elements in a Successful Program

Abstract

Appropriate use of US has become a core skill that all future physicians will need to learn. Number of specialties require US training in their Residencies like Radiology, Emergency Medicine, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. All Residencies will require US once mandated by the individual Residency Review Committees. Residencies would be able to concentrate more on patient care if the medical student entering their Residency was already proficient in the use of US. Medical school mission is to educate and train their students to be the best prepared physicians to provide the best care for their patients. The use of US is a core skill they should be taught. This core skill also enhances their educational experience in medical school. How does one introduce a new skill into a medical school curriculum that is already jam-packed? The US Integration into medical school curriculum has many requirements which will be briefly discussed in the presentation- “champion”; support of deans; support of module leaders; hands-on teachers; space; budget (US equipment, server to save images for each student, simulation); funding; feedback. Final thoughts- each medical school is unique; support of the leaders is mandatory; collaboration is essential; resources (space, equipment, time) need to be available; and how rapid and successful the integration of US into the curriculum depends on many factors which are unique to each institution.