Importance of Ultrasound Education in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum: A Survey Study Based on First-Year Medical Students' Perception of the 6-Year Doctor of Medicine Program of the University of Nicosia Medical School in Cyprus

Constantinos Zervides, Pelagia Kefala-Karli, Leandros Sassis

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Ultrasound imaging modality is a tool used in clinical practice and is being introduced gradually in the undergraduate curriculum of several medical schools worldwide. This study aims to assess medical students' perception regarding the integration of ultrasound training as part of undergraduate education. A questionnaire was given to first-year medical students after a 2-hour-long session, which was developed to introduce them in the fundamental physics theory and function of ultrasound equipment in the clinical practice. Analysis of the results indicated that students acknowledged that ultrasound training would improve their knowledge of internal medicine (P = 0.027) and of different diagnostic modalities (P = 0.019), and enhance their medical decision making (P = 0.0004). Moreover, students found beneficial the ultrasound education regarding correlating clinical knowledge with basic sciences (P = 0.0004). The study pointed out that the majority of first-year students have the opinion that the integration of ultrasound training in the medical program is valuable in medical education and patient care. However, work is needed to determine how to provide an optimal learning environment and to assess the competency of the training sessions.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)328-332
    Number of pages5
    JournalUltrasound Quarterly
    Volume36
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020

    Keywords

    • medical curriculum
    • medical education
    • ultrasound training
    • undergraduate students

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