Implementation of a 4‐Year Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound Curriculum in a Liaison Committee on Medical Education–Accredited US Medical School. (10th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, Sean P.; Mefford, Jason M.; Lahham, Shadi; Lotfipour, Shahram; Subeh, Mohammad; Maldonado, Gracie; Spann, Sophie; Fox, John C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of ultrasound in medicine. Volume 36:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 321
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2016-12-10
• Subjects: medical education -- medical school -- milestone -- point‐of‐care ultrasound; Ultrasonics in medicine -- Periodicals; Ultrasonics; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonics in medicine; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 616.07543
• DOI: 10.7863/ultra.16.03068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4297

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: The established benefits of point‐of‐care ultrasound have given rise to multiple new and innovative curriculums to incorporate ultrasound teaching into medical education. This study sought to measure the educational success of a comprehensive and integrated 4‐year point‐of‐care ultrasound curriculum. Methods: We integrated a curriculum consisting of traditional didactics combined with asynchronous learning modules and hands‐on practice on live models with skilled sonographers into all 4 years of education at a Liaison Committee on Medical Education–accredited US Medical School. Each graduating student was administered an exit examination with 48 questions that corresponded to ultrasound milestones. Results: Ninety‐five percent (n = 84) of fourth‐year medical students completed the exit examination. The mean score was 79.5% (SD, 10.2%), with mean scores on the ultrasound physics and anatomy subsections being 77.1% (SD, 11.0%) and 85.9% (SD, 21.0%), respectively. Conclusions: A comprehensive 4‐year point‐of‐care ultrasound curriculum integrated into medical school may successfully equip graduating medical students with a fundamental understanding of ultrasound physics, anatomy, and disease recognition.