The evolution of an integrated ultrasound curriculum (iUSC) for medical students: 9-year experience

Abstract

Interest in ultrasound education in medical schools has increased dramatically in recent years as reflected in a marked increase in publications on the topic and growing attendance at international meetings on ultrasound education. In 2006, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine introduced an integrated ultrasound curriculum (iUSC) across all years of medical school. That curriculum has evolved significantly over the 9 years. A review of the curriculum is presented, including curricular content, methods of delivery of the content, student assessment, and program assessment. Lessons learned in implementing and expanding an integrated ultrasound curriculum are also presented as are thoughts on future directions of undergraduate ultrasound education. Ultrasound has proven to be a valuable active learning tool that can serve as a platform for integrating the medical student curriculum across many disciplines and clinical settings. It is also well-suited for a competency-based model of medical education. Students learn ultrasound well and have embraced it as an important component of their education and future practice of medicine. An international consensus conference on ultrasound education is recommended to help define the essential elements of ultrasound education globally to ensure ultrasound is taught and ultimately practiced to its full potential. Ultrasound has the potential to fundamentally change how we teach and practice medicine to the benefit of learners and patients across the globe.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13089-015-0035-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A Scoping Review of Ultrasound Teaching in Undergraduate Medical Education

“…The authors agree with Hoppmann et al's [11] call for 'an international consensus conference on US education to help define the essential elements of US education globally to ensure US is taught and ultimately practiced to its full potential'.…”

“…Twenty-one percent of the papers in this review (27 of 128 publications) have involved three authors from three different institutions that have integrated ultrasound teaching within each year of their medical school curriculum (DP Bahner, JC Fox and RA Hoppmann). Full integration has allowed for the development of such programs over time, with incorporation of feedback and continued improvement [10,11].…”

“…The investment of these medical schools in ultrasound is being rewarded by increased student interest, with some evidence emerging that medical students are choosing programs based on their investment in ultrasound [11] leading to our first take home message which is 'Integrate ultrasound into your undergraduate medical curriculum'. If possible, invest in a fully integrated program.…”

“…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].…”

“…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. Their 2015 follow-up article details recommendations for student assessment and the value of an US image review portal [11]. Most papers are emergency medicine-led.…”