Table 6 Lessons learned/recommendations for starting a medical student ultrasound program
From: An integrated ultrasound curriculum (iUSC) for medical students: 4-year experience
Start small |
Work with course and clerkship directors to determine a limited number of ultrasound objectives initially and expand each year |
Timing |
Introduce the students to ultrasound and the instrumentation during orientation week, if possible—a great orientation activity and facilitates the transition to ultrasound in formal course work |
Open laboratory sessions |
Offer open ultrasound practice sessions during times when the students are not as rushed with other curricula demands |
Faculty |
Faculty champions in multiple disciplines will be necessary for a truly integrated curriculum; faculty development will be needed; ultrasound education can be an academic niche |
Student feedback |
Provide regular opportunities for students to give feedback on the program and share results with the faculty and administration—important for ongoing support of the program |
Student–patient interaction |
An opportunity for “clinical time” in the first 2 years and faculty role modeling |
Content and resources |
Need not develop all teaching material in-house; pursue multiple options for acquiring ultrasound systems: buy, lease, grants, partnerships, donors |
Student recruiting |
Advertise your ultrasound program to medical school applicants; can give you a recruiting edge |