The sonographic digital portfolio: a longitudinal ultrasound image tracking program

Abstract

BackgroundUltrasonography (US) at the medical student level is developing. As clinical skills and simulation centers expand, US equipment miniaturizes, and more students are exposed to ultrasound; a digital portfolio comprised of US images and videos may be useful in demonstrating experience and possibly competency.MethodsMedical students participated in US curricula consisting of didactics and hands-on training. From 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2008, student images and videos were saved. Total images and videos were evaluated and catalogued.ResultsA total of 10,074 images and 1,227 videos were saved during the 2-year period. For the academic year 2006 to 2007, 159 medical students obtained 3,641 of the images (84.9%) and 270 of the videos (86.0%). First year students obtained 778 images and 20 videos; second year students, 1,174 images and 64 videos; third year students, 211 images and 20 videos; and fourth year students, 1,478 images and 166 videos.For the academic year 2007 to 2008, 222 medical students obtained 4,340 images (75%) and 619 videos (67.8%). First year students obtained 624 images and 109 videos; second year students, 555 images and 81 videos; third year students, 132 images and 14 videos; and fourth year students, 3,029 images and 415 videos.ConclusionsThe ultrasound digital portfolio allows medical students to collate and document their ultrasound experience. Currently, there is no requirement for ultrasound training, documentation of competency, or minimum numbers of US exams for medical education. The ultrasound digital portfolio may be a useful tool in documenting ultrasound proficiency.

A Scoping Review of Ultrasound Teaching in Undergraduate Medical Education

“…Online and e-learning technologies [117,118] In a written exam taken prior to a hands-on ultrasound course, Hempel et al [117] report that students who took part in a case-based e-learning course performed better than those who were taught with a classroom-based presentation; Hughes et al [118] described benefits for students in collating a portfolio of ultrasound images as a means of tracking their learning and development.…”

Enseñanza de la ecografía clínica en el pregrado: los estudiantes como mentores

“…Probablemente hay que empezar a plantearse la necesidad de establecer una serie de cambios en los contenidos y objetivos de los planes de estudio en Medicina, así como determinar la forma de educación y evaluación de la ecografía, considerando por ejemplo si sería beneficioso incluir los cortes tomados en los sistemas PACS («Picture Archiving and Communication System») de los hospitales universitarios para facilitar el seguimiento y acceso por parte de profesores y alumnos 21 .…”

Development of the ultrasonography learning model for undergraduate medical students: A case study of the Faculty of Medicine, Burapha University

“…17 To track image accuracy over time, an ultrasound digital portfolio may be useful to document the student's US longitudinal experience. 24 Most of the respondents provided positive opinions regarding US education, and all of the radiology elective students had used US more frequently after they finished the elective radiology course. This may have an impact on the improvement of patient care.…”

“…Some studies used an US simulator as a teaching model. 9,24 Parks et al 9 demonstrated that medical students without previous formal US training achieved a degree of competency in simulated PoCUS after a short training period using a PoCUS simulator. However, an US simulator allows students unrestricted access to practice their US skills.…”