Intermediate Ultrasound: Going beyond the basics of ultrasound in medical student education

Objectives: Since the TSUP (Trained Standardized Ultrasound Patient) program inception in 2006 and an article in 2013 there have been significant modifications, as an entirely new medical school curriculum was implemented in... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives:
Since the TSUP (Trained Standardized Ultrasound Patient) program inception in 2006 and an article in 2013 there have been significant modifications, as an entirely new medical school curriculum was implemented in 2012. Adapting ultrasound (US) experiences into the framework of this new 3-part curriculum was necessary to rebrand the experience as part of a competency pathway. The US curriculum progressed from beginner to intermediate to an advanced competency in undergraduate US. The transition to the intermediate US experience (I-US) enhances the student model’s role as a learner. The key changes of this revised TSUP program consist in its inclusivity to all 4 years and inclusion in a longitudinal US education competency program.

Methods:
The I-US program has two coordinators. The coordinators email medical students advertising I-US and work with faculty to organize the events of I-US. Interested students 1) attend lectures where various clinical US scans are taught using the I-AIM method, 2) attend open scanning sessions and save 10 complete scans, 3) take a practical and written ultrasound exam, and 4) fulfill 15 TSUP service hours. Fulfilling these requirements constitutes completing the I-US program. Thus, this is an example of how TSUP is easily incorporated into an extracurricular US education program.

Results:
Since February 1, 2015 over 100 I-US participants have collectively participated in over 500 hours of didactics or scanning sessions as part of the I-US program. These same students have collectively provided almost 900 hours of TSUP modeling service, allowing physicians and students in various departments in the College of Medicine and University Medical Center to become familiar with normal sonographic signatures and practice US techniques.

Conclusions:
Since US is not yet required during medical school, coordinating US experiences in medical education can be challenging. This project describes an adapted US service program previously described into an intermediate part of the path toward an advanced competency. As these changes to the program increase available participation and expand the pathways for students to get involved, the variety of advanced competencies may increase.