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Ultrasound – an essential part of the anatomy educator toolkit?
Author(s) -
Royer Danielle
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.692.1
Subject(s) - gross anatomy , curriculum , medical education , anatomy , likert scale , point (geometry) , surface anatomy , medicine , psychology , pedagogy , developmental psychology , geometry , mathematics
Ultrasound (US) is increasingly taught in the medical curriculum, often concurrent with gross anatomy. A needs assessment was conducted to determine whether US should be part of the anatomy educator toolkit. A 24 question online survey was distributed to faculty in anatomy Master's and PhD programs to determine the current extent of US training and perceptions of US. Respondents represent over half of anatomy programs in the USA. The majority of anatomists surveyed have little/no experience with US. Results reveal that many grad programs provide training in medical imaging, but only a minority includes training in US specifically and less require teaching US. Further work is needed to assess US curricula across programs. Responses to five‐point Likert items show notable trends: most anatomists highly value US to reinforce anatomical concepts and clinical correlates; most consider US useful and marketable; some think US should be required to teach medical students. Integrating US into anatomy training may reinforce concepts and relationships, while providing future anatomists with a foundation in a modern skill, allowing them to meet the changing needs of medical students. For US to become an essential part of the anatomy educator toolkit, anatomy‐centered US curricula emphasizing normal anatomy and tissues, major relationships, and basic scanning skills, should be developed and integrated into anatomy programs.