History of student ultrasound education: learning from working examples

Abstract

Ultrasound has become an essential tool in clinical diagnosis. Traditionally, ultrasound was predominantly taught during postgraduate medical training. However, today ultrasound education is increasingly being incorporated into preclinical curricula of medical students. Although extensive literature on individual ultrasound training programs is available, research on the effective development and implementation of ultrasound education for students remains limited. This article identified five key considerations for incorporating student ultrasound education into existing medical curricula, based on an analysis of working examples in various parts of the world: The synergistic relationship between anatomy and ultrasound, didactic evolutions such peer-assisted learning, the role of Point-of-Care-Ultrasound (POCUS) and e-Learning in resource-limited settings, the considerations of possible side effects and lastly, the early engagement with key stakeholders. These five key considerations
should help the successful and long-term development, adaptation and implementation of a new or existing ultrasound education program in undergraduate education, thereby contributing to the training of competent future healthcare professionals.