Ultrasonography education in the first medical-engineering based college

This work presents an ultrasonography laboratory practice for the first year medical students of Carle Illinois College of Medicine. The Carle Illinois is the first college of medicine in the nation designed at the intersection of engineering and medicine. The curriculum integrates basic and clinical sciences with engineering and innovation, as part activities students were able to navigate through a guided ultrasound practice. In the individual session, students were introduced to an ultrasound machine (Sonosite Edge, FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc, Bothell, WA, USA) and discussed the ultrasound principles. As preparation for the session, students received a guide where they answered a few questions. The guided practice consisted on describing the parts of a basic ultrasound machine; explaining the ultrasound principles, such as, relationship between frequency and wavelength, explaining the different ultrasound imaging modes and types of ultrasound transducers, discussing the frequency of ultrasound transducer for diagnosis and therapy and the continuous Doppler mode. In the end, students had the opportunity to scan the carotid artery and analyze the ultrasound principles discussed. After the guided session, students were allowed to perform scans on their own. The students appreciated the hands-on experiences gained by participation in the ultrasonography-guided session.