Impact of one‐day course on medical student knowledge, attitudes and comfort with point‐of‐care ultrasound‐guided procedures. Issue 3 (15th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chilstrom, Mikaela; Beck, Sierra
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal of ultrasound in medicine. Volume 22:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 200
• Page End: 205
• Publication Date: 2019-03-15
• Subjects: ultrasonography -- point‐of‐care ultrasound -- education -- medical -- undergraduate -- ultrasound‐guided procedures; Ultrasonics in medicine -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic imaging -- Periodicals; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonics in medicine; Periodicals; 616.075430
• DOI: 10.1002/ajum.12137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1836-6864

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Given the ubiquity of procedural ultrasound in clinical practice, the importance of exposing medical students to the topic is increasingly relevant. We examined final‐year medical student knowledge, attitudes and comfort level with procedural ultrasound before and after a one‐day course. Methods: This was a prospective cross‐sectional survey of final‐year students at a single university. We collected data regarding ultrasound experience, career goals and knowledge of procedural ultrasound, as well as attitudes and comfort (each assessed with three questions using a Likert scale). All students were sent a pre‐ and post‐test survey, and we compared pre‐ and post‐test results using the chi‐square test, with a two‐tailed P‐value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: All of the 94 course participants completed both the pre‐ and post‐tests. Of the 23 non‐participants, 16 (70%) completed both pre‐ and post‐tests. Almost all (99%) respondents reported some prior ultrasound exposure, but only 34% had previously performed at least one core procedure with ultrasound guidance. Among participants, we found a 13% average increase in knowledge score (P < 0.05) between pre‐ and post‐tests; there was no significant change in knowledge score among non‐participants. Among participants, we also found an increase in positive attitudes (P < 0.05 for two of three questions) and an increased comfort level with procedural ultrasound (P < 0.05 for all three questions). Discussion: A one‐day course can impact medical student knowledge, attitudes and comfort with the use of ultrasound for procedural guidance. Conclusion: Further research is needed to assess long‐term outcomes and explore alternative educational modalities.