Medical Student Perception of the Impact of Early Ultrasonography Education on Experiences during Clinical Rotations

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Medical Science Educator

Abstract

Teaching medical students ultrasonography has a positive impact on their confidence in its use. The study institution has integrated ultrasonography education into the first 2 years of its 4-year curriculum. The first-year ultrasonography course taught students how to use ultrasound equipment and identify a number of structures in the neck, abdomen, pelvis, chest, and extremities. A pass/fail elective course during second year provided more opportunities to practice ultrasonography skills and use ultrasonography training models for guided procedures. The objective of this study was to investigate student perception of early ultrasonography education as related to their experience during clinical rotations. After completing third-year rotations, students were surveyed on their perception of how ultrasonography training impacted their clinical decision-making abilities, how often they engaged in ultrasonography activities, the obstacles that prevented them from using ultrasonography, and the specialties in which they used ultrasonography most. Eighty-five students from the class of 2015 and 162 students from the class of 2016 participated. Students agreed ultrasonography training aided their clinical decision-making abilities (P<.001) and their ultrasonography skills were used during third-year rotations (P<.001). Many students experienced at least 1 obstacle, most commonly lack of permission. Ultrasonography was used most during obstetrics and gynecology rotations. Despite obstacles, ultrasonography was used in a variety of specialties. These results support the inclusion of ultrasonography in the medical school curriculum to improve clinical decision-making skills and promote the development of ultrasonography skills.

First Page

273

Last Page

280

DOI

10.1007/s40670-017-0394-4

Publication Date

6-1-2017

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