Ultrasound Curriculum in Medical Education

Physical Diagnosis Group 1

Goal!

Students will develop proficiency in palpating and correctly identifying

subcutaneous structures.

Learning Objectives• Demonstrate appropriate communication skills during a physical exam• Demonstrate an ability to palpate and differentiate the thyroid,

carotid, jugular vein, cricothyroid cartilage, thyroid cartilage, trachea, and hyoid bone; and correlate with ultrasound

• Differentiate structures as solid, cystic, or vascular based on echogenicity in the neck and correlate with palpation

• Identify via palpation and percussion the liver boundaries and size and confirm with ultrasound

• Describe the anatomy of the right upper quadrant on ultrasound• Utilize maneuvers such as Valsalva to identify structures on

ultrasound• Appreciate the role of positioning for enhancement of the physical

exam and ultrasound

Nuts and Bolts

• Structure and planning – 3-5 students/machine– Classroom– Students vs. SP– Faculty vs. preceptors vs. senior students– Machines and access– Hygiene and Maintenance– Policies (incidental findings and ethics)

• Faculty Development (Uniformity and methodology)• Teaching Strategies

– Pre-Work– Lectures vs. Hands on

Assessment

• Students: – Using an OSCE and have each student identify by physical exam

structures listed above in the LOs and confirm with ultrasound pictures.

– Supplementation with multiple choice exams involving the use of ultrasound scans of pathology.

• Course:– Evaluation of the course can be done by questionnaires in the short-

term.• Student and Faculty

– Evaluation by clinical site directors– Pre and Post implementation evaluation