Evaluating the introduction of a practical thyroid ultrasound teaching session for medical students.

Abstract

Background and aims: The use of thyroid ultrasound is gaining in popularity at postgraduate level. However, it has not been broadly incorporated into the UK undergraduate medical curriculum. Thyroid ultrasound can help augment students understanding of both anatomy and endocrinology. We aimed to embed a hands-on thyroid ultrasound practical teaching session as part of the QUB (Queen's University Belfast) 3^rd year medical students' endocrine and diabetes rotation. Students completed a questionnaire on the effectiveness of the teaching.

Methods: Fifty 3^rd year medical students completed a questionnaire (15 questions) assessing various aspects of teaching effectiveness. Mean Likert scale scores ranging from 1 (very good) to 5 (very poor) were calculated for each of the questions to gauge perceptions of competence, relevance, and alignment of assessments with learning objectives. The hybrid session consisted of didactic teaching followed by a practical thyroid ultrasound hands-on session. Thyroid ultrasound was performed using a GE V-scan Air wireless handheld ultrasound.

Results: Notably, students initially reported low confidence levels in their clinical knowledge of thyroid ultrasound indications (mean score: 3.10) and in using the ultrasound machine (mean score: 3.79). However, following the session, the mean confidence level in using the ultrasound machine significantly improved to 1.96. Positive scores were noted for the clarity of learning objectives (mean score: 1.50) and opportunities for practice (mean score: 1.74). Instructor competence and approachability both received relatively favourable scores (mean score: 1.65), and students felt they had sufficient opportunities to ask questions (mean score: 1.18). The course's relevance to students' future careers was also rated positively (mean score: 1.24).

Summary: The introduction of a novel thyroid ultrasound practical teaching session represents an advancement in integrating ultrasound imaging techniques into undergraduate medical education. It has the potential to offer an alternative to traditional teaching methods on thyroid anatomy and pathology. Students broadly welcomed the exposure to 'hands on' ultrasound which appeared to be beneficial for their procedural skills and confidence in interpreting thyroid images.