Introduction: Ultrasound, a versatile diagnostic modality that permits real-time visualization at the patient's bedside, can be used as an adjunct in teaching physical diagnosis (PD).
Aims: (1) to study the feasibility of incorporating ultrasound into PD courses and (2) determine whether learners can demonstrate image recognition and acquisition skills.
Program description: Three hundred seven second-year medical students were introduced to cardiovascular and abdominal ultrasound scanning after training in the physical examination. This consisted of a demonstration of the ultrasound examination, followed by practice on standardized patients (SPs). Pre-post tests were administered to evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of ultrasound. Students performed an ultrasound examination during the PD final examination.
Program evaluation: Pre-post test data revealed significant improvements in image recognition. On the final exam, the highest scores (98.4%) were obtained for the internal jugular vein and lowest scores (74.6%) on the Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma images. Eighty-nine percent of students' surveyed felt ultrasound was a valuable tool for physicians.
Discussion: An introductory ultrasound course is effective in improving medical students' acquisition and recognition of basic cardiovascular and abdominal ultrasound images. This innovative program demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating portable ultrasound as a learning tool during medical school.