Simulator training in focus assessed transthoracic echocardiography (FATE) for undergraduate medical students: results from the FateSim randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Ultrasound is important in heart diagnostics, yet implementing effective cardiac ultrasound requires training. While current strategies incorporate digital learning and ultrasound simulators, the effectiveness of these simulators for learning remains uncertain. This study evaluates the effectiveness of simulator-based versus human-based training in Focused Assessed with Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE).

Endosonography in head and neck imaging and surgery.

This CME article explores the evolving role of endosonography in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery. Endosonography offers significant potential to improve imaging inside the upper respiratory tract, particularly with advancements in probe technology and imaging resolution. The article will describe the sonoanatomy of the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx and the selection of probes and scanning techniques used for the various anatomical sites.

[The use of fracture sonography in midface traumatology].

Ultrasound is today an essential element of otorhinolaryngology. During the course of (technical) development, fracture sonography has also gained increasing clinical and scientific interest. Sonography can already be used today as the imaging method of choice for isolated suspected fractures of the nasal or zygomatic bone.

Peer teachers as ultrasound instructors? - a systematic literature review of peer teaching concepts in undergraduate ultrasound education.

Background: As ultrasound is one of the most utilized imaging procedures in clinical practice in Germany, its integration into undergraduate medical education is imperative. Thereby, the limited availability of qualified instructors is a major challenge. Peer tutors, who are trained to instruct their peers collaboratively, could resolve staff constraints.

Exploring the dynamics of ultrasound training in medical education: current trends, debates, and approaches to didactics and hands-on learning.

Introduction: Medical education, especially in ultrasound training, is undergoing significant changes. This study examines practical issues in ultrasound medical education, emphasizing state-of-the-art teaching methods, their effectiveness, and implementation challenges.

Methods: The study analyzed advancements in ultrasound education, including randomized controlled trials comparing peer-to-peer teaching with traditional faculty-led instruction.

Undergraduate musculoskeletal ultrasound training based on current national guidelines-a prospective controlled study on transferability.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) is integral to routine clinical diagnostics for musculoskeletal and joint disorders. This study aims to establish and validate a sonography course tailored to undergraduate medical students acquiring MSUS-specific skills at a German university.

Methods: A blended learning training concept, comprising 24 instruction sessions of 45 min each, was designed based on the current national guidelines of the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM).

Insights Into Modern Undergraduate Ultrasound Education: Prospective Comparison of Digital and Analog Teaching Resources in a Flipped Classroom Concept - The DIvAN Study.

  Sonography training has become an important part of university medicine courses. This study explores the impact of digital and analog teaching resources on learning outcomes, knowledge retention, and student preferences and motivation in a flipped classroom setting.   This prospective controlled study involving two groups of third-year medical students included a voluntary three-day compact ultrasound course given in a flipped classroom, comprising 26 teaching units of 45 minutes each.

Development and evaluation of a point-of-care ultrasound curriculum for paramedics in Germany - a prospective observational study and comparison.

Background: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is steadily growing in use in prehospital emergency medicine. While currently used primarily by emergency physicians, POCUS could also be employed by paramedics to support diagnosis and decision-making. Yet to date, no paramedicine-targeted POCUS curricula exist in Germany.

Effectiveness of an ultrasound basic cancer training program through on-site training and virtual case discussions in rural Tanzania: a proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: Cancer rates are rising in low- and middle-income countries. While point-of-care ultrasound is now available globally and could serve to mitigate against this rise, its use in diagnosing cancers is inconsistent in lower-resourced healthcare contexts. This proof-of-concept study investigates the feasibility of an ultrasound training concept in a low-resource setting.

Effects of undergraduate ultrasound education on cross-sectional image understanding and visual-spatial ability - a prospective study.

Introduction/aim: Radiological imaging is crucial in modern clinical practice and requires thorough and early training. An understanding of cross-sectional imaging is essential for effective interpretation of such imaging. This study examines the extent to which completing an undergraduate ultrasound course has positive effects on the development of visual-spatial ability, knowledge of anatomical spatial relationships, understanding of radiological cross-sectional images, and theoretical ultrasound competencies.

[Ultrasound supported identification of the ligamentum conicum in teaching head and neck sonography].

Objective: Upper airway obstructions are usually acute emergencies. Coniotomy is the last option to secure the airway and can be supported by sonography. The aim of this study was to establish a training program to teach these skills.

Shoulder and Knee Arthroscopy Access Point: Prospective Comparison of Sonographic and Palpatory Detection - Which Method is Better for Novices?

 Arthroscopy is one of the most common interventions in orthopedics. Hence it is important to train users early in order to ensure the safest possible identification of access portals (AP). This prospective study aimed to compare a palpatory (PalpMethod) with a sonographic (SonoMethod) method for AP location in the shoulder and knee joints.

Development and evaluation of a "simulator-based" ultrasound training program for university teaching in obstetrics and gynecology-the prospective GynSim study.

Introduction: This study addresses the challenges of ultrasound education in obstetrics and gynecology, focusing on the potential benefits of simulation techniques in medical training. Aiming to evaluate the impact of a structured simulator-based training program, this prospective, randomized, interventional study examines its effects on educational outcomes for 5 year medical students.

Methods: A total of 153 medical students were randomized into two groups: one receiving both theoretical instruction and hands-on ultrasound simulator training (study group), and the other receiving only theoretical instruction (control group).

Student ultrasound education - current views and controversies.

As an extension of the clinical examination and as a diagnostic and problem-solving tool, ultrasound has become an established technique for clinicians. A prerequisite for high-quality clinical ultrasound practice is adequate student ultrasound training. In light of the considerable heterogeneity of ultrasound curricula in medical studies worldwide, this review presents basic principles of modern medical student ultrasound education and advocates for the establishment of an ultrasound core curriculum embedded both horizontally and vertically in medical studies.

Inter-System Variability of Eight Different Handheld Ultrasound (HHUS) Devices-A Prospective Comparison of B-Scan Quality and Clinical Significance in Intensive Care.

Background: the use of handheld ultrasonography (HHUS) devices is well established in prehospital emergency diagnostics, as well as in intensive care settings. This is based on several studies in which HHUS devices were compared to conventional high-end ultrasonography (HEUS) devices. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence regarding potential variations in B-scan quality among HHUS devices from various manufacturers, and regarding whether any such differences hold clinical significance in intensive care medicine settings.

Prospective Comparison of Handheld Ultrasound Devices from Different Manufacturers with Respect to B-Scan Quality and Clinical Significance for Various Abdominal Sonography Questions.

Background: Handheld ultrasound (HHUS) devices have chiefly been deployed in emergency medicine, where they are considered a valid tool. The data situation is less clear in the case of internal questions in abdominal sonography. In our study, we investigate whether HHUS devices from different manufacturers differ in their B-scan quality, and whether any differences are relevant for the significance of an internal ultrasound examination.

A blended learning approach for teaching thoracic radiology to medical students: a proof-of-concept study.

Introduction: The best way to impart knowledge to medical students is still unclear. Therefore, we designed a blended learning course in thoracic radiology including both "traditional" in-class time as well as online learning modules. The aims were (1) to investigate students' attitudes toward this blended learning approach; and (2) to test whether it improved their knowledge about thoracic radiology.

Digital Transformation in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Acceptability of Blended Learning.

Background: ultrasound diagnostics have a broad spectrum of applications, including among diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Accordingly, it is important for the users to have a well-founded and up-to-date education in this dynamic examination method. The right balance between online and in-class teaching still needs to be explored in this context.

Structured Reporting of Head and Neck Sonography Achieves Substantial Interrater Reliability.

Ultrasound examinations are often criticized for having higher examiner dependency compared to other imaging techniques. Compared to free-text reporting, structured reporting (SR) of head and neck sonography (HNS) achieves superior time efficiency as well as report quality. However, there are no findings concerning the influence of SR on the interrater reliability (IRR) of HNS.

Development and evaluation of a point-of-care ocular ultrasound curriculum for medical students - a proof-of-concept study.

Background: Point-of-care Ocular Ultrasound (POCOUS) has gained importance in emergency medicine and intensive care in recent years. This work aimed to establish and evaluate a dedicated ultrasound education program for learning POCOUS-specific skills during medical studies at a university hospital.

Methods: The blended learning-based program (6 teaching units) based on recent scientific publications and recommendations was developed for students in the clinical part of their medical studies.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Sustainability of Integrating Peer-Assisted Ultrasound Courses into Medical School-A Prospective Study.

Introduction: Ultrasound diagnostics is an important examination method in everyday clinical practice, but student education is often inadequate for acquiring sufficient basic skills. Individual universities have therefore started integrating (extra)curricular training concepts into medical education. This study aimed to evaluate sustainable skills development through participation in peer-assisted ultrasound courses.

Undergraduate ultrasound training: prospective comparison of two different peer assisted course models on national standards.

Background: A thorough knowledge of sonography is essential in clinical practice. Therefore, sonography training is increasingly incorporated into the medical school curriculum, entailing different course models. The question arises which model is most effective to convey sustained sonographic skills.