Developing and Assessing an Integrated Comprehensive Obstetric Ultrasound Training Program for Undergraduate Medical Students – the Fetal Assessment in Medical Education Study (FAME study)

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a prenatal ultrasound course for medical students, focusing on enhancing competencies in fetal sonography through the integration of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice.

Design

This was a longitudinal study conducted over the winter semester of 2023/24.

Setting

Study took place in a medical education setting, with practical sessions conducted in a clinical environment and theoretical instruction.

Population or Sample

Twenty medical students participated in the course.

Methods

The course was taught by expert faculty and included practical training with live models in real-life conditions, supplemented by online video lectures. The study used Objective Structured Clinical Examinations administered before and after the course, along with multiple-choice questionnaires following each of the six course modules, to assess learning outcomes. Learning success was measured using pre- and post-course OSCE results and MCQ scores. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for OSCE scores and the Spearman correlation test to examine relationships between MCQ results and practical skills.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary outcomes included the change in OSCE scores and the correlation between MCQ scores and practical skills.

Results

Median OSCE scores improved from 18.94% pre-course to 95.45% post-course, indicating significant enhancement in practical skills. However, no significant correlation was found between MCQ and post-course OSCE scores. Students expressed high satisfaction with the course.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates effectiveness of a practice-oriented educational approach in improving medical students’ competencies in fetal sonography, providing valuable insights for optimizing future medical curricula in prenatal imaging.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Die Studie zielte darauf ab, die Effektivität eines Kurses zur vorgeburtlichen Ultraschalluntersuchung für Studierende der Medizin zu untersuchen. Der Schwerpunkt lag auf eine Verbesserung der fetalen Sonografiekompetenzen durch die Integration von theoretischem Wissen und praktischem Können.

Konzept

Es handelt sich um eine Längsschnittstudie, die im Wintersemester 2023/24 durchgeführt wurde.

Umfeld

Die Studie wurde in einer medizinischen Ausbildungsstätte durchgeführt. Die praktischen Unterrichtseinheiten wurden in einer klinischen Umgebung durchgeführt und wurden von theoretischen Unterweisungen begleitet.

Studienpopulation

Es nahmen 20 Studierende der Medizin an dem Kurs teil.

Methoden

Der Kurs wurde von erfahrenen Mediziner*innen unterrichtet und bestand aus einem praktischem Training mit lebenden Personen unter realen Bedingungen, ergänzt durch Online-Video-Vorlesungen. Um die Lernleistungen zu beurteilen, wurden die Ergebnisse der Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, die vor und nach dem Kurs abgelegt wurden, und der nach jedem der 6 Lehrmodule ausgefüllten Multiple-Choice-Fragebogen (MCF) eingesetzt. Der Lernerfolg wurde anhand der vor und nach dem Kurs abgelegten OSCE und den MCF-Ergebnissen gemessen. Für die statistische Analyse wurde der Wilcoxon-Rangsummentest für die OSCE-Ergebnisse eingesetzt. Die Rangkorrelation nach Spearman wurde verwendet, um Zusammenhänge zwischen den MCF-Ergebnissen und den praktischen Fähigkeiten zu untersuchen.

Auswertung der Messungen

Primäre Ergebnisse waren Veränderungen der OSCE-Ergebnissen sowie eine Korrelation zwischen MCF-Ergebnissen und den praktischen Fähigkeiten.

Ergebnisse

Die OSCE-Ergebnisse verbesserten sich von durchschnittlich 18,94% vor dem Kurs auf 95,45% nach dem Kurs, was auf eine signifikante Verbesserung der praktischen Fähigkeiten hinweist. Es fanden sich aber keine signifikanten Korrelationen zwischen den MCF-Ergebnissen und den nach dem Kurs gemessenen OSCE-Ergebnissen. Die Studierenden äußerten eine große Zufriedenheit mit dem Kurs.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Studie zeigt die Effektivität eines praxisorientierten Ausbildungsansatzes bei der Verbesserung der Kompetenzen von Studierenden der Medizin in der fetalen Sonografie auf und bietet wertvolle Erkenntnisse für die Optimierung künftiger medizinischer Lehrpläne mit Bezug auf die pränatale Sonografie.

Keywords

ultrasound - training - medical students - ultrasound education - prenatal training

Schlüsselwörter

Ultraschall - Training - Studierende der Medizin - Ultraschallausbildung - pränatales Training

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 01. Oktober 2024

Angenommen nach Revision: 21. Dezember 2024

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
03. März 2025

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