Medical educators' perspectives of teaching physical examinations using ultrasonography at the undergraduate level

Authors

  • Irene Ma CMEJ Associate Editor, University of Calgary
  • Ian Wishart University of Calgary
  • Malgorzata Kaminska University of Calgary
  • Kevin McLaughlin University of Calgary
  • Sarah Weeks University of Calgary
  • David Lautner University of Calgary
  • Heather Baxter University of Calgary
  • Bruce Wright University of Calgary

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.36619

Keywords:

Ultrasonography, Physical examination, Medical, medical, undergraduate

Abstract

Background: Ultrasonography is increasingly used for teaching physical examination in medical schools. This study seeks the opinions of educators as to which physical examinations would be most enhanced by the addition of ultrasonography. We also asked when ultrasound-aided physical examination teaching could have deleterious effects if used outside its intended scope.

Methods: All of the educators from the University of Calgary Master Teacher Program were invited to complete a 22-item paper-based survey. Survey items were generated independently by two investigators, with input from an expert panel (N = 5).

Results: Of the 36 educators, 27 (75%) completed the survey. Examinations identified to be potentially most useful included: measuring the size of the abdominal aorta, identifying the presence/absence of ascites, identifying the presence/absence of pleural effusions, and measuring the size of the bladder. Examinations thought to be potentially most harmful included: identifying the presence/absence of intrauterine pregnancy, measuring the size of the abdominal aorta, and identifying the presence/absence of pericardial effusion.

Conclusions: Examinations that are potentially the most useful may also be potentially the most harmful. When initiating an ultrasound curriculum for physical examinations, educators should weigh the risks and benefits of examinations chosen.

 

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Author Biographies

Irene Ma, CMEJ Associate Editor, University of Calgary

Assistant Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary

Ian Wishart, University of Calgary

Department of Emergency Medicine

Malgorzata Kaminska, University of Calgary

Department of Family Medicine

Kevin McLaughlin, University of Calgary

Department of Medicine

Sarah Weeks, University of Calgary

Department of Cardiac Sciences

David Lautner, University of Calgary

Department of Radiology

Heather Baxter, University of Calgary

Department of Family Medicine

Bruce Wright, University of Calgary

Department of Family Medicine

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Published

2013-03-31

How to Cite

1.
Ma I, Wishart I, Kaminska M, McLaughlin K, Weeks S, Lautner D, Baxter H, Wright B. Medical educators’ perspectives of teaching physical examinations using ultrasonography at the undergraduate level. Can. Med. Ed. J [Internet]. 2013 Mar. 31 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];4(1):e59-e68. Available from: https://journalhosting.ucalgary.ca/index.php/cmej/article/view/36619

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Section

Original Research

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