Teaching ultrasound in a curricular course according to certified EFSUMB standards during undergraduate medical education: a prospective study

Abstract

BackgroundAs a non-invasive and readily available diagnostic tool, ultrasound is one of the most important imaging techniques in medicine. Ultrasound is usually trained during residency preferable according to German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) standards. Our curriculum calls for undergraduate training in ultrasound of medical students in their 4th year of undergraduate education. An explorative pilot study evaluated the acceptance of this teaching method, and compared it to other practical activities in medical education at Muenster University.Methods240 medical students in their 4th year of undergraduate medical education participated in the training and completed a pre- and post-questionnaire for self-assessment of technical knowledge, self-assurance of the procedure, and motivation in performing ultrasound using a Likert scale. Moreover, students were asked about their interest in pursuing a career in internal medicine. To compare this training to other educational activities a standardized online evaluation tool was used. A direct observation of procedural skills assessment (DOPS) for the first time applied on ultrasound aimed to independently assess the success of our teaching method.ResultsThere was a significant increase in technical knowledge and self-assurance (p < 0.001) of the students’ self-assessments. The clinical relevance and self-motivation of the teaching were evaluated positively. The students’ DOPS results demonstrated proficiency in the understanding of anatomic structures shown in ultrasonographic images, including terminology, machine settings, and transducer frequencies.ConclusionsTraining ultrasound according to certified DEGUM standards was successful and should be offered in undergraduate medical education. The evaluation of the course affirmed the necessity, quality and clinical relevance of the course with a top ranking score of hands-on training courses within the educational activities of the Medical Faculty of Muenster.

A Scoping Review of Ultrasound Teaching in Undergraduate Medical Education

“…One way of assessing students is to use the national sonographer standard [5]; however, this standard will vary between countries. Although medical students can reach national sonographer standards with a structured integrated approach [5], the majority of student scores tended to be akin to 'a borderline level of competency'.…”

“…Some [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Fifteen papers describe variously integrated ultrasound curricula. Five studies are notable for the numbers of medical students involved in a formal evaluative process (>150) [5][6][7][8][9]. Heinzow et al [5] reported that students were evaluated as per DEGUM standards (national sonographer examination standards).…”

“…Five studies are notable for the numbers of medical students involved in a formal evaluative process (>150) [5][6][7][8][9]. Heinzow et al [5] reported that students were evaluated as per DEGUM standards (national sonographer examination standards). Hoppmann et al [10] published a review of their integrated ultrasound curriculum and is notable for the practical advice it offers educators starting their own ultrasound curriculum.…”

Introduction of basic dermatologic ultrasound in undergraduate medical education

“…While it could be argued that students would recognize the questions in their post-course evaluation, we did not inform them about the right answers or their scores before or after the course to ensure that they -and students taking the seminar in the futureremained blind to the results. A similar approach has been used by other authors [11,12]. Most of the students also considered dermatologic ultrasound to be helpful in studying dermatology as a subject (LS 1.90; 80 % agree or strongly agree).…”

“…Students' perception of their confidence in performing ultrasound examinations was also lower than the rest of items with a (LS 2; 68.57 % agree or strongly agree). This problem could be solved by increasing the number of ultrasound scans using simulators, by increasing the amount of tutors by recruiting students from previous groups [13,14], and by introducing hand-held devices [15,16].…”