The Benefits of Ultrasound Exposure During Gross Anatomy in Medical School

Posted in: Education & Policy, Medical School, Ultrasound Literature|April 9, 2014

SONOSIM SUMMARY: This article by Dreher et al. summarizes one medical school’s experience introducing ultrasound education into its curriculum. Ultrasound was successfully introduced into an anatomy course taught in the first year of medical school. Ultrasound was used to help participating students learn ultrasonography and correlate sonographic anatomy with structures noted during cadaver dissection.

Dreher SM, DePhilip R, Bahner D. Ultrasound Exposure During Gross Anatomy J Emerg Med. 2014;46: 231-240.

Abstract

Background

As medical schools seek to standardize ultrasound training and incorporate clinical correlations into the basic science years, we proposed that ultrasonography should have a greater role in the anatomy curriculum.

Objectives

To describe the introduction of ultrasound into the curriculum of a first-year medical student anatomy course and evaluate the utility of this introduction.

Methods

First-year medical students attended two ultrasound lectures and three small-group hands-on sessions that focused on selected aspects of musculoskeletal, thoracic, abdominal, and neck anatomy. Pre and post surveys were administered to assess student perception of their ability to obtain and interpret ultrasound images and the utility of ultrasound in the anatomy course. Understanding of basic ultrasound techniques and imaging was tested in the practical examinations.

Results

Of the 269 first-year medical students who completed the course, 144 students completed both surveys entirely, with a response rate of 53%. Students’ interest and self-perceived experience, comfort, and confidence in ultrasound skills significantly increased (p < 0.001) as a result of this early introduction to ultrasonography. Objective evidence, provided by practical examination scores on ultrasound images, is consistent with this self-perceived confidence reported by students.

Conclusions

Ultrasound can be effectively incorporated into an anatomy course for first-year medical students by utilizing didactics and hands-on exposure. Medical students found the addition of ultrasound training to be valuable, not only in enhancing their understanding of anatomy, but also in increasing their interest and experience in ultrasound imaging.

Keywords: ultrasound, anatomy, curriculum, education

To read the complete article, visit The Journal of Emergency Medicine.