Ultrasound in Medical Education: Increasing Awareness for Ultrasound Applications in the Novice Learner

Grace N Kibuule3*, Sameer Prakash1, Livingston Martin3, Max Schimelpfenig3, Shane Harper PA-C2,3 and Izi Obokhare2,3

1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, USA
2Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, USA
3Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Amarillo, Texas, USA

^*Correspondance to: Grace N Kibuule 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2897

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to assess understanding and perceived educational benefit of Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) in a surgical setting for 3rd year medical students. Design: We conducted a prospective study evaluating a PoCUS course that comprised of a two-hour session. The session included a pre-test assessment survey, one-hour of didactic lecture, hands-on workshop with an ultrasound simulation machine and live standardized patient, and finally a posttest assessment survey. Students were given the option to return, if desired, for further self-directed learning with an ultrasound simulator after the pilot program. Setting: Sim Central at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo, TX. Participants: A total of 12 students participated in the course. All students completed a pre-course survey and 11 students completed the post-course survey. Results: Providing educational instruction and resources for PoCUS in a surgical setting has a statistically significant self-reported positive effect on students. Conclusion: All the participants of the study had a strong awareness of the advantages of utilizing Ultrasound (US) in a clinical setting. However, given an opportunity to learn in depth applications of ultrasound technology in a clinical setting, the benefit to medical students emerge.

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Cite the article

Kibuule GN, Prakash S, Martin L, Schimelpfenig M, Shane Harper PAC, Obokhare I. Ultrasound in Medical Education: Increasing Awareness for Ultrasound Applications in the Novice Learner. Clin Surg. 2020; 5: 2897..