Ultrasound Education in an Elective Course in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum Improves Students' Subjective Learning and Clinical Rotation and Residency Preparedness

Riley Draper; Douglas Ellinger; Mark Trottier; Kelly Armstrong; Wenyue Ma

doi:10.1007/s40670-023-01800-4

Ultrasound Education in an Elective Course in the Undergraduate Medical Curriculum Improves Students' Subjective Learning and Clinical Rotation and Residency Preparedness

Med Sci Educ. 2023 May 11;33(3):737-746. doi: 10.1007/s40670-023-01800-4. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Authors

Riley Draper¹, Douglas Ellinger¹, Mark Trottier¹, Kelly Armstrong¹, Wenyue Ma¹

Affiliation

¹ Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, 15 Michigan St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 USA.

PMID: 37501805
PMCID: PMC10368609 (available on 2024-06-01)
DOI: 10.1007/s40670-023-01800-4

Abstract

Objectives: Studies have demonstrated that students are able to improve their understanding of anatomy, physical exam skills, and clinical knowledge when ultrasound is incorporated into their education. This study investigates whether students enrolled in an elective with significant use of ultrasound (ACS) in their preclinical years subjectively improved their preparedness for clinical rotations, residency, and learning in several subjects.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of an anonymous online needs assessment survey sent to 384 third- and fourth-year medical students. Survey items included Likert scales analyzed with a student's t-test or Chi-Square analysis and yes/no questions analyzed with Chi square, as well as demographic information.

Results: 201 students responded to the survey (52.3% response rate). ACS participants reported feeling more prepared for their clinical rotations than their non-ACS peers (3.5 vs. 2.33, p < 0.001 ) and felt more prepared for residency (3.12 vs 1.91, p < 0.001). ACS students also found ultrasound significantly more helpful in understanding the physical exam (69.3% vs. 53.2%, p = 0.02) and anatomy (94.7% vs. 81%, p = 0.012).

Conclusions: Student respondents expressed a desire for more ultrasound education throughout medical school. Students who participated in ACS reported feeling more prepared for their clinical rotations and residency than their non-ACS peers and were more likely to feel that ultrasound improved their understanding of anatomy and the physical exam. This study adds to the literature suggesting that increasing the quantity of ultrasound in preclinical medical education may improve students' satisfaction, learning and clinical preparedness.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-023-01800-4.

Keywords: Medical education; Preclinical medical curriculum; Ultrasound; Ultrasound education.

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