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. 2015 Dec;7(1):18.
doi: 10.1186/s13089-015-0035-3. Epub 2015 Nov 21.

The evolution of an integrated ultrasound curriculum (iUSC) for medical students: 9-year experience

Richard A Hoppmann  1 , Victor V Rao  2 , Floyd Bell  3 , Mary Beth Poston  4 , Duncan B Howe  5 , Shaun Riffle  6 , Stephen Harris  7 , Ruth Riley  8 , Carol McMahon  9 , L Britt Wilson  10 , Erika Blanck  11 , Nancy A Richeson  12 , Lynn K Thomas  13 , Celia Hartman  14 , Francis H Neuffer  15 , Brian D Keisler  16 , Kerry M Sims  17 , Matthew D Garber  18 , C Osborne Shuler  19 , Michael Blaivas  20 , Shawn A Chillag  21 , Michael Wagner  22 , Keith Barron  23 , Danielle Davis  24 , James R Wells  25 , Donald J Kenney  26 , Jeffrey W Hall  27 , Paul H Bornemann  28 , David Schrift  29 , Patrick S Hunt  30 , William B Owens  31 , R Stephen Smith  32 , Allison G Jackson  33 , Kelsey Hagon  34 , Steven P Wilson  35 , Stanley D Fowler  36 , James F Catroppo  37 , Ali A Rizvi  38 , Caroline K Powell  39 , Thomas Cook  40 , Eric Brown  41 , Fernando A Navarro  42 , Joshua Thornhill  43 , Judith Burgis  44 , William R Jennings  45 , James B McCallum  46 , James M Nottingham  47 , James Kreiner  48 , Robert Haddad  49 , James R Augustine  50 , Norman W Pedigo  51 , Paul V Catalana  52
Affiliations

The evolution of an integrated ultrasound curriculum (iUSC) for medical students: 9-year experience

Richard A Hoppmann et al. Crit Ultrasound J. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Interest in ultrasound education in medical schools has increased dramatically in recent years as reflected in a marked increase in publications on the topic and growing attendance at international meetings on ultrasound education. In 2006, the University of South Carolina School of Medicine introduced an integrated ultrasound curriculum (iUSC) across all years of medical school. That curriculum has evolved significantly over the 9 years. A review of the curriculum is presented, including curricular content, methods of delivery of the content, student assessment, and program assessment. Lessons learned in implementing and expanding an integrated ultrasound curriculum are also presented as are thoughts on future directions of undergraduate ultrasound education. Ultrasound has proven to be a valuable active learning tool that can serve as a platform for integrating the medical student curriculum across many disciplines and clinical settings. It is also well-suited for a competency-based model of medical education. Students learn ultrasound well and have embraced it as an important component of their education and future practice of medicine. An international consensus conference on ultrasound education is recommended to help define the essential elements of ultrasound education globally to ensure ultrasound is taught and ultimately practiced to its full potential. Ultrasound has the potential to fundamentally change how we teach and practice medicine to the benefit of learners and patients across the globe.

Keywords: Education; Integrated curriculum; Medical students; Ultrasound.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ultrasound OSCE scoring checklist
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Student ultrasound image evaluation via cloud-based review portal
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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