Integration of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training into Undergraduate Medical Curricula–-A Perspective from Medical Students

Abstract

The utility of point of care ultrasound training during medical school is becoming more and more evident. At the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, we have formally integrated ultrasound education into the curriculum of all four years. Exposure begins in the first few months of Year 1 and takes form in a variety of educational mediums through Year 4. Whether students receive training through mandatory sessions during physical diagnosis courses or extracurricular workshops provided through the Ultrasound Interest Group–-the experience equips learners of at all different skill levels with the confidence to apply what they have learned to patient care. The successful integration of ultrasound training into the medical curriculum can be attributed to progressive administration, devoted faculty and eager students. The perspective of medical students during the integration process is described in this paper.