Early Innovative Immersion: A Course for Pre-Medical Professions Students Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound

SONOSIM SUMMARY: This article from the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine details an ultrasound immersion course designed for undergraduate and post baccalaureate students interested in pursuing a career in medicine. The course was developed to expose premedical students to point-of-care ultrasound while also encouraging collaboration with peers and preparing participants for the medical school application process.

Fifteen students enrolled in the course, which was structured around the “flipped-classroom” and “just-in-time” teaching methodologies; this included online access to educational content, such as presentations and videos, followed by hands-on scanning training. Students also completed team-based scanning exercises, shadowed emergency medicine physicians, and were given tips on writing personal statements and interviewing, all as part of the course. Daily surveys along with a post course survey one month after course completion showed students found the course activities to be valuable and that their self-perceived ability to perform real ultrasound scans was strengthened.

This article is meant to serve as a model for other undergraduate and post baccalaureate programs that wish to begin integration of ultrasound training and education into their premedical curriculum. The article also demonstrates that individuals with little-to-no past ultrasound experience can become comfortable with the modality by participating in “flipped classroom” and “just-in-time” ultrasound training courses.

Smalley CM, Browne V, Kaplan B, et al. Early innovative immersion: a course for pre-medical professions students using point-of-care ultrasound. J Ultrasound Med. 2016 Dec;35(12):2681-2686.

Abstract

In preparing for medical school admissions, premedical students seek opportunities to expand their medical knowledge. Knowing what students seek and what point-of-care ultrasound offers, we created a novel educational experience using point-of-care ultrasound. The innovation has 3 goals: (1) to use point-of-care ultrasound to highlight educational concepts such as the flipped classroom, simulation, hands-on interaction, and medical exposure; (2) to work collaboratively with peers; and (3) to expose premedical students to mentoring for the medical school application process. We believe that this course could be used to encourage immersive innovation with point-of-care ultrasound, progressive education concepts, and preparation for medical admissions.

To read the article, visit the Wiley Online Library.

SonoSim Keywords: Ultrasound Education, Ultrasound Training, Med-pre Ultrasound Training, Bedside Ultrasound, Undergraduate Ultrasound Training