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Ultrasound in medical education: listening to the echoes of the past to shape a vision for the future

  • Review Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Ultrasound in medical education has seen a tremendous growth over the last 10–20 years but ultrasound technology has been around for hundreds of years and sound has an even longer scientific history. The development of using sound and ultrasound to understand our body and our surroundings has been a rich part of human history. From the development of materials to produce piezoelectric conductors, ultrasound has been used and improved in many industries and medical specialties.

Methods

As diagnostic medical ultrasound has improved its resolution and become more portable, various specialties from radiology, cardiology, obstetrics and more recently emergency, critical care and proceduralists have found the added benefits of using ultrasound to safely help patients. The past advancements in technology have established the scaffold for the possibilities of diagnostic ultrasound’s use in the present and future.

Results

A few medical educators have integrated ultrasound into medical school while a wealth of content exists online for learning ultrasound. Twenty-first century learners prefer blended learning where material can be reviewed online and personalize the education on their own time frame. This material combined with hands-on experience and mentorship can be used to develop learners’ aptitude in ultrasound.

Conclusions

As educators embrace this ultrasound technology and integrate it throughout the medical education journey, collaboration across specialties will synthesize a clear path forward when needs and resources are paired with vision and a strategic plan.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Nate Lane has no financial conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. Shadi Lahham has no financial conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. Linda Joseph has no financial conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. David P. Bahner has no financial conflicts of interest to disclose. Dr. J. Christian Fox has received speaker honorarium and equipment from FujiFilm/Sonosite and has stock options with SonoSim.

Ethical standard

The authors state compliance with the ethical guidelines in the creating of this manuscript. This is a review of the literature and no experiments or patients were involved in the writing of this article and thus no institutional review board approval was applicable in the creation of this document.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, USA

    N. Lane, S. Lahham, L. Joseph & J. C. Fox

  2. The Ohio State University, 756 Prior Hall, 376 W. 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    D. P. Bahner

Authors
  1. N. Lane
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  2. S. Lahham
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  3. L. Joseph
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  4. D. P. Bahner
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  5. J. C. Fox
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. P. Bahner.

Additional information

The focus issue of ultrasound in the European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery highlights many uses of ultrasound in the prehospital and hospital setting. As ultrasound continues to impact medical care, training the next generation of clinicians to utilize ultrasound becomes imperative. This article highlights the history and present state of ultrasound in medical education.

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Lane, N., Lahham, S., Joseph, L. et al. Ultrasound in medical education: listening to the echoes of the past to shape a vision for the future. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 41, 461–467 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-015-0535-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-015-0535-7

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