Is ultrasound imaging effective in teaching anatomy in undergraduate medicine? A systematic review protocol

Abstract

Anatomy knowledge is a foundation of learning medicine and is traditionally taught to students using cadaveric dissection. In the last few decades, a variety of adjuncts to teaching anatomy have been developed including plastic models, plastinated human specimens, living anatomy (surface) and radiological images to aid learning. Portable ultrasound (US) has become a useful learning tool that is safe and non-invasive allowing for visualisation of organs and associated structures. The role of ultrasound has been widely discussed in the literature with some institutions integrating it into the medical curriculum. This protocol describes a planned study that aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound in teaching anatomy to medical students by systematically reviewing the existing literature available in the public domain. Data gathered by these studies can be extracted and analysed to provide evidence of the effectiveness of ultrasound in medical education. The outcome will potentially support medical educators in integrating ultrasound aided learning into the curriculum with the aim of improving students understanding of anatomy. A secondary outcome may be basic understanding and competency in ultrasound.