Perceptions of Faculty and Students of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Utilization in Medical Education

Abstract

Objective: To study the perceptions of Medical College of Georgia residency directors and clerkship directors, and students on the utilization of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in medical education and clinical practice. Methods: An online, anonymous survey was distributed to clerkship and residency directors and undergraduate medical education (UME) students. Participants were asked to indicate their level of experience and agreement for teaching specific POCUS applications. Results: The response rate was 40.13% among UME students (N = 274), 100% among residency directors (N = 17), and 100% among core clerkship directors (N = 9). Majority of residency and clerkship directors agreed to include most of the proposed POCUS applications except for pediatric bladder catheterization (35%) and inferior vena cava to evaluate the presence of hypovolemia (46%). There was no more than 12% disagreement to include any application among both cohorts of responders. Within medical students, the most desired application to learn was ultrasound-guided central line placement (58% strongly agreed; 33% agreed) followed by ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access (88% strongly agreed or agreed), and assessment for presence of pericardial and pleural effusion, abdominal / pelvic fluid collections, and cholelithiasis. Conclusions: This survey documents the desired learning and teaching applications for the POCUS curriculum content. Results will be useful for documentation and as a supplement to the development of a national ultrasound education curriculum.